HUD CPD Director John Tolbert (left) with Cynthia Haines, Senior Management Analyst (right), join John Murphy, Executive Director of NACCED, at the National Association of Counties Conference held in Pittsburgh.

On July 13 2012, HUD staff outlined the mission of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and the goals of "Opening Doors" to the leadership of The National Association for County Community and Economic Development at the National Association of Counties Convention held in Pittsburgh, PA.  Community representatives learned about aligning their local, regional and state goals with those of the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness through strategic planning and focused partnerships.

Participants were encouraged to set quantifiable targets and to use this data to measure progress; to collaborate, invest and act upon proven strategies to end homelessness and to continue to convene state and local interagency councils to coordinate their activities and draw strength from each others efforts.

Emphasis was placed on collectively maximizing resources and impact by adopting the four goals of Opening Doors:

• Finish the job of ending chronic homelessness by 2015
• Prevent and end veteran's homelessness by 2015
• Prevent and end homelessness for families, youth, and children by 2020
• Set a path to end all types of homelessness

Representatives present from counties throughout the United States were urged to remember the key priorities of USICH and to visit www.usich.gov to participate in a feedback exchange with USICH and other communities on ending homelessness in America.