Welcome
A Message from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Dear Citizens,
On any given night in Baltimore City, there are at least 4,000 people experiencing homelessness, and nearly 500 are families with children. And of the children staying in our city’s shelters, about 80 percent are under the age of eleven.
Baltimoreans spend millions of dollars in costs related to homelessness, like shelter and accessing emergency services, that don’t offer lasting solutions. The Journey Home, Baltimore City’s plan in collaboration with United Way of Central Maryland to make homelessness rare and brief, was designed to change this, saving money in public costs and creating long-term solutions to homelessness.
Based on an increase in program services and better coordination of existing services, the plan centers on a best practice known as “Housing First.” By placing people into housing immediately and removing their housing crisis, people are able to stabilize and address their other needs through supportive services.
In order to help people who are experiencing homelessness, there must be systemic change and true advocacy – both of which are strong components of The Journey Home.
To fulfill this vision, it’s critical to raise additional funds to help complement state and federal funding for homeless services. All sectors must come together to help support this effort in Baltimore. From nonprofit foundations and corporations to individuals and the public sector – success of the The Journey Home hinges on collaboration.
We ask you to consider joining us as we enter year four of the plan.
Sincerely,