The first steps in a five-year strategic plan to address homelessness in Polk County have been taken by a group committed to ensuring that everyone in the county has a safe place to call home.

Among the strategies suggested in Blueprint to Address Homelessness, unveiled in May, was the reorganization of the existing Homeless Coordinating Council. The council has been reorganized, reconstituted and renamed Polk County Blueprint for Housing Solutions Alliance. Council co-chairs are Scott Jean, CEO and president of EMC Insurance Cos., and Chris Coleman, a Des Moines city councilman.

The alliance, which includes representatives from the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropy sectors, will lead, coordinate and accelerate implementation of the Blueprint, according to a news release. The alliance will be supported by a governance structure that allows for community-wide action.

The Blueprint also recommended the hiring of a director to prioritize and put into action best practices to ending homelessness included in the strategic plan. The alliance announced that it is accepting applications for the position, described as “senior level.” The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the United Way of Central Iowa have provided initial funds to help cover the salary and benefits of the director as well as other start-up costs, a spokesperson wrote in an email.

To advance the work of the alliance and gain expertise and engagement from community stakeholders, a roundtable discussion will be held that will include past members of the former Homeless Coordinating Council; members of groups that provide financial support for housing; and other advocates of ending homelessness. Dates for the roundtables have not yet been determined.

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