The Knoxville and Knox County Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness emphasizes coordination among agencies serving homeless individuals, and stresses accountability for results.

An advisory board comprised of public and private service providers, non-profit organizations and donors will also be appointed to aid the director.

"Ending chronic homelessness in our community requires participation of all stakeholders in addressing this problem in a different way than we have before," Mayor Ragsdale said. "Resources are not unlimited, and it's imperative that we work together to ensure no duplication exists among services delivered by agencies."

Added Mayor Haslam, "We appointed this task force a year ago with the understanding that the 'status quo' was not going to solve this growing dilemma. The next step is for public and private service providers, and the faith-based community, to take ownership of this plan and move forward together to end chronic homelessness, and ultimately prevent homelessness in Knoxville and Knox County."

The task force full implementation of a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), an Internet-based database that shelters, housing providers, service agencies and others who work with the homeless can share client information and better coordinate case management. Roll-out of this system has already begun over the past year.

Chronically homeless is defined as individuals who have been homeless for more than a year or who have been repeatedly homeless.

While these individuals account for just 10 percent of the homeless population, they utilize 50 percent of the resources, including emergency medical services, psychiatric treatment, detox facilities, shelters, law enforcement and correctional facilities.

This relatively small population puts inordinate stress on the social service system, leaving little resources to serve those who are incidentally homeless or to prevent homelessness.

Dr. Roger Nooe, of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work, served as the task force's chairman, and Mike Dunthorn, of the City of Knoxville, as the vice chair.

"This plan offers a framework for ending the institution of homelessness," Dr. Nooe stated. "By increasing the availability of permanent housing, providing coordinated case management and linking homeless persons to community resources, Knoxville and Knox County can reduce chronic homelessness and perhaps more importantly, prevent others from becoming chronically homeless."

Other strategies recommended by the task force: