Background KICH was initially established after representatives from Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) participated in a Homeless Policy Academy in 2002, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Kentucky was one of eight states invited to participate in the first of these intensive policy-building forums, designed to develop action plans for improving access to mainstream services for people experiencing homelessness.

Mission The KICH mission is to coordinate and influence policy across Kentucky to end homelessness.

By Executive Order of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Kentucky Interagency Council on Homelessness (KICH) is composed of representation from state government, nonprofit and advocacy agencies to collaborate and perform the following functions and duties:

–Serve as the single statewide homelessness planning and policy development resource for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. –Review, recommend changes and update Kentucky’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. –Monitor and oversee implementation of Kentucky’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness to ensure that accountability and results are consistent with the plan. –Serve as a state clearinghouse for information on services and housing options for the homeless. –Conduct other activities as appropriate. Executive Order Functions and Duties

1.Chief Executive Officer of Kentucky Housing Corporation 2.Secretary of Health and Family Services Cabinet 3.Secretary of Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 4.Secretary of Education Cabinet 5.Secretary of Transportation Cabinet 6.Executive Director of Administrative Office of the Courts 7.State Budget Director 8.Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Veterans Affair 9.Kentucky General Assembly (one from each house appointed by the Governor) 10. Executive Director of Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky The membership of the Executive Committee of the Council shall include: Executive Order

Executive Committee By Virtue of Executive Order 751 Steering Committee Policy Committee Chairpersons Housing Services Prevention Public Will Data

Established Goals Commit state's leadership to forge partnerships among state agencies that allow communities to achieve local solutions to end homelessness. Develop and implement continued planning strategies. Develop a comprehensive, public education program to familiarize all stakeholders and the general public on issues related to homelessness. Access and commit the resources necessary to develop new units of supportive housing. Create evaluation and tracking systems to measure outcomes and guide future planning.

Strategies Create interagency collaboration. Maximize targeted efforts to influence and improve systemic efficiency, policy development and service delivery. Establish policies throughout the state to resolve the causes of homelessness rather than treating the symptoms of homelessness.

Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness In 2005, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness issued a national call to end homelessness. In response, KHC and KICH came together to develop Kentucky’s Ten- Year Plan to End Homelessness. The plan was proactive and proposed not to manage homelessness but to end it by addressing barriers and root causes. The plan was compiled with public input from 12 community forums held across the state.

KICH remains committed to engaging the state’s leadership to forge partnerships among state agencies that enable all Kentucky communities to achieve local solutions to ending homelessness. Seizing Opportunities in 2009