Acting Administrator
James A. Williams
General Services Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS?
WHAT ARE ITS MISSION AND STRUCTURE?

Congress established the Interagency Council on Homelessness in 1987 with the passage of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The Council is responsible for providing Federal leadership for activities to assist homeless families and individuals.

The major activities of the Council include:

1. planning and coordinating the Federal government's activities and programs to assist homeless people, and making or recommending policy changes to improve such assistance;
   
   
2. monitoring and evaluating assistance to homeless persons provided by all levels of government and the private sector;
   
   
3. ensuring that technical assistance is provided to help community and other organizations effectively assist homeless persons; and
   
   
4. disseminating information on Federal resources available to assist the homeless population.

The actions needed to carry out the policies and priorities established by the Council are developed by a policy-level working group and various task forces with the assistance of Council staff. The policy group provides a forum for coordinating policies and programs, developing special initiatives, and preparing recommendations for consideration by the full Council.