Homeless Update - Baltimore, MD

Yesterday, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon announced the launching of a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness. The plan includes vigorous pursuit of drug and alcohol treatment, creation of an affordable housing trust, nondiscrimination of homeless legislation and the leasing of 500 housing units.

Cost will be covered by "many millions of dollars" from state and federal sources. The money would be in addition to the $100 million the city has received from federal funds in the last five years.

According to the 2007 homeless census, there are about 3,000 people homeless in Baltimore on any given night.

If the experience of other cities can be used as an indicator, it's likely that the 10-year plan will not significantly decrease, if at all, the population of homeless people. Also, just penciling some numbers, it appears that in excess of $200 million will be allocated over 10 years for the 3,000 homeless people.