St. Louis Continuum of Care to End Homelessness

Gateway Homeless Services is part of a collaborative effort in St. Louis City and County to end homelessness. The Homeless Services Network Board Program of the City of St. Louis is a community-based process coordinated by the City's Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Division. The program allows for a comprehensive and concerted response to both homeless and at-risk individuals and families within the City of St. Louis.

The program employs a Continuum of Care model; an approach to homelessness that is comprehensive, flexible and inclusive of all service providers. The fundamental components of this Continuum of Care system are:

• Outreach and assessment to identify an individual's or a family's need, and make connections to facilities and services;
• Immediate shelter as a safe alternative to the streets;
• Transitional Housing and necessary social services including, substance abuse treatment, short-term mental health services, independent living skills, and other services as needed; and
• Permanent housing or permanent housing arrangements.

The Program was developed to:

• Develop, coordinate and monitor new and existing program to make certain that the needs of the homeless and at-risk populations are met;
• Negotiate contracts with social service providers to deliver services, ensure that these services are monitored, to avoid duplication of services agencies and to ensure that funds are used both efficiently and effectively;
• Coordinate and direct the Homeless Services Network Board, a consortium of health and human services professionals, advocates, government officials, representatives from nonprofit agencies, and homeless clients from the metropolitan area.