When used in this Article:
Commission means the Interagency Commission on Homelessness.
Continuum of Care means a community program, established under the HEARTH Act, to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency.
End homelessness or ending homelessness means:
(1) reaching functional zero for an identified type of homelessness; and
(2) having systems in place adequate to house all individuals entering homelessness during a specific time period.
Housing First Initiative means a public policy approach to homeless assistance that:
(1) prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness;
(2) reduces barriers to accessing housing and other key services; and
(3) is guided by the theories that:
(A) people need basic necessities like food and housing before attending to other needs, such as employment, budgeting, or substance abuse treatment;
(B) client choice is valuable in housing selection and supportive service participation; and
(C) exercising a choice in housing is likely to make a client more successful in remaining housed and improving the client’s life. (2014 L.M.C., ch. 4, § 1; 2020 L.M.C., ch. 20, §1.)