FAITH, Inc.
Strategic Plan
To Address Homelessness
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Our Core Values:
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We are a community-based organization.
We welcome all, including the un-welcome.
We treat each person with dignity & respect.
We are effective stewards of the human & financial resources entrusted to us.
A competent & dedicated staff is critical to our mission.
Planning Assumptions
We will remain focused on serving the needs of individuals who are homeless, or who are rebuilding their
lives from previous homelessness, while expanding to serve those who are at high risk for becoming
homeless.
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We will continue to serve populations that are difficult to serve – persons with extremely low
income, persons with disabling conditions, persons fleeing domestic & sexual violence, & others
who are therefore less likely to receive services as readily through other agencies.
We will continue to serve both single adults & families.
We will focus any new program development primarily within the footprint of existing programs
& services – Henry & St. Clair County in order to maintain a geographically cohesive service area.
We will focus on assisting persons at imminent risk of homelessness to remain housed, on
reducing time spent in shelter, on permanent housing of persons who are homeless, serving
chronically homeless persons, & on providing ongoing services to these individuals & families once
they are housed. These approaches are consistent with current national, state & local public policy
directions to prevent & end homelessness.
Government sources of funding for homeless programs, supportive & affordable housing, &
support services will be under pressure for reductions as a result of the economic downturn &
governments struggling with accumulated debt. Public funding of new directions in programs &
services will likely come from redirecting funds from current programs & services. Long term
planning for major new activities must consider how new revenue can be secured, including
increased private support.
Strategic Directions
Strategic Direction A: Faith, Inc. will demonstrate leadership in developing & implementing effective
approaches in prevention, shelter & transitional housing to move homeless persons quickly to housing &
provide ongoing support services until housing stability is achieved.
At Faith, Inc. we have been successful in developing & implementing effective service strategies – using
engagement, building trusting relationships, responding to needs as expressed by those we serve,
providing low barrier entry to programs & fostering access to services over time as the individual is ready
to engage in services. Our approaches are grounded in the agency philosophy that emphasizes treating
each person with dignity & respect, & welcoming all including those often unwelcome in other settings.
These service delivery strategies are appropriate & effective whether working in homelessness
prevention, or shelter services, or post-shelter housing programs. We believe it is our approach &
philosophy that sets Faith, Inc. apart & we will continue to demonstrate them across the continuum of
programs we operate.
Strategic Direction B: Faith, Inc. will work collaboratively to increase permanent supportive housing for
underserved populations on the verge of homelessness or moving out of homelessness. Faith, Inc.’s
primary role will be that of service provider & temporary shelter that transitions individuals &/or families.
Lack of availability of appropriate housing is a major impediment for many persons the agency serves to
be able to attain permanent housing. Of special need is more permanent supportive housing. Permanent
supportive housing (PSH) is a specific model of housing designed to serve individuals & families with very
low income & disabling conditions, provide ongoing supportive services, such as case management,
assistance with daily living skills & help in accessing services in the community. Faith, Inc. will continue to
be active & direct in fostering new supportive housing development, both larger developments & small
scale programs. The agency will primarily seek to work in the role of service provider & temporary
emergency & transitional housing. Faith, Inc. may continue to add to its own stock of TH units if
opportunities arise.
Strategic Direction C: Faith, Inc. will focus on organizational development to optimize its effectiveness &
viability.
Faith, Inc. has worked to strengthen its staff professional & leadership development & to build an effective
management structure.
At the same time areas of challenge are present – a lean infrastructure is stressed by growth in number,
complexity & geography of programs; continued success in attracting support will require effective
marketing, clarity in demonstrating program outcomes & enhanced private fundraising; continued
emphasis on staff development is essential for effective program delivery & fulfilling agency values; &
thoughtful planning is needed to address the potential for significant changes within senior leadership
over the next 5+ years, along with a flat organization structure that limits internal succession & continuity.
As the field of homeless services & related public policy change, & as Faith, Inc.’s direct service programs
respond, Faith, Inc. must look comprehensively at its structure, operational & support systems, key
personnel, resource streams & other aspects of the agency to ensure that it is aligned with the
environment in which it works & strengthens effectiveness & viability.
Strategic Direction D: Faith, Inc. as an agency, as well as its staff & board, will bring awareness to the issue
of homelessness & serve as advocates for policies to prevent & end homelessness in the communities we
serve.
In recent years, much progress has been made in local jurisdictions in building & implementing plans to
seriously address homelessness. From both an economic & moral values perspective, homelessness
affects the quality & health of our entire community. However, in the arena of many competing demands
& desires for support, it is important that the issue of homelessness, & the need for programs & services
to assist those who are most vulnerable in our community; not be pushed aside in the debate regarding
use of resources. Faith, Inc., its staff & its board members must serve as vocal advocates to maintain &
expand resources & policies to address homelessness. This includes monitoring human services issues
affecting persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; educating the community about these
issues; and participating in communication & advocacy networks in our area.
Approved by the Faith, Inc. Board of Directors
September 22, 2014
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