When launched in 2010, Opening Doors was more than a blueprint for effective federal, state and local partnerships to end homelessness; it motivated all of us - inside and outside of government - to work harder, together, to address the needs of our most vulnerable people
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This past week, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) unveiled an updated version of Opening Doors, our nation's first comprehensive national strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Opening Doors, originally released in 2010, is a roadmap for coordinated, joint action on homelessness among the 19 USICH member federal agencies along with local and state partners in the public and private sectors. The reaffirmations and amendments now in Opening Doors are part of a planned review intended to capitalize on effective strategies addressing homelessness that have been learned and refined over the past five years.

USICH has strengthened Opening Doors by ensuring it leads the way in embracing proven, cost-efficient models, such as supportive housing, to prevent and end homelessness, and helps our most vulnerable individuals and families stay housed and healthy. They view Opening Doors as a "living" document, a dynamic way to underscore what is working. It is serving as a relevant, vibrant guide for all of us who want to see an end to homelessness.

When launched in 2010, Opening Doors was more than a blueprint for effective federal, state and local partnerships to end homelessness; it motivated all of us - inside and outside of government - to work harder, together, to address the needs of our most vulnerable people. Five years later, it is just as impactful; a platform on which proven solutions such as supportive housing can expand, and an affirmation that services through Medicaid, coordinated assessment and access, and cooperation among systems must grow too if we are to succeed and tackle homelessness once and for all.

Read more about Opening Doors here.

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