ANDERSON — The Anderson Homeless Task Force has approved its vision and mission statements.
The Anderson City Council earlier this year voted to form the task force in an effort to deal with homelessness in the city.
The vision statement emphasizes empowering individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of being homeless through partnerships.
“Ensuring that every resident of the City of Anderson has access to safe, stable housing and a supportive community,” it reads in part.
The mission statement includes fostering a coordinated system and holistic approach to eliminate barriers, achieve long-term housing stability and empower individuals who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
“We’re building from the bottom up,” Greg Graham, chairman of the task force, said in summarizing the vision and mission statements.
“Developing the statements was a good experience,” he said. “We’re making progress, but have a long way to go. This is a big issue and it will take a lot to handle it.”
The task force includes 15 members from several different organizations in Anderson.
“The primary purpose of said task force shall be to provide leadership in identifying and bringing together the various existing organizations or individuals that presently exist and who provide assistance either directly or indirectly,” reads a resolution establishing the task force.
Goals include planning programs and fundraisers to benefit homeless people; applying for grants; doing an annual needs assessment; tracking best practices in other communities; raising public awareness; and serving as a liaison between city officials and providers, as well as providing semiannual written reports.
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