Read the January 2007 report on Homes Within Reach, Springfield's ten-year plan to end long-term homelessness in the City. Some highlights of the program's first two years of progress:

• In its first two years, Homes Within Reach reduced the number of homeless individuals living on the streets by 65%.  The total number of homeless individuals in the city (on the streets and in shelters) declined 18%.
•  80 chronically homeless individuals and 26 chronically homeless families have been housed.
•  Multiple agencies are collaborating on creative ways to provide supportive housing.  For example, the City combines tenant vouchers with services from the Mental Health Association.  The Springfield Housing Authority gives vouchers to landlords who rent apartments to formerly homeless individuals who then receive intensive support services in their own homes.
• The second annual Project Homeless Connect was held in June 2008 at the MassMutual Center.  The event provided one-day one-stop access to resources to more than 600 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Construction will soon begin on a 24-hour Homeless Resource Center on Worthington Street.  The center will provide health and social services and training programs to enable people to move from homelessness to education to employment and stability.
• Springfield collaborated with neighboring communities to launch a regional plan to end homelessness.  The regional initiative has been awarded a $1.1 million state grant to launch a pilot program demonstrating regional initiatives to end homelessness.  (For more information on the regional initiative, go to www.westernmassrcn.wordpress.com.)
• The Rapid Re-House Program has provided security deposits and/or first month rent to assist over 150 households in moving from homelessness to housed.
• Springfield has upheld its commitment to provide Emergency Shelter Capacity to the homeless until the need diminishes.
• Committees are working to improve job training, employment opportunities and supportive housing for homeless people throughout the region.
• Outreach services for homeless individuals have been strengthened, with the help of volunteers from the faith communities.