The first organized look at homelessness in the Tri-Cities was made possible with federal government funding secured by Share Family & Community Services Society in the fall of 2000.  At that time, there were no services in the Tri-Cities focused on serving people who were homeless and service providers were aware that some of those they served were homeless.  The consultant engaged to do the study was able to count 7 people who were absolutely homeless and it was estimated that 30-45 people were homeless in the area. The team of agencies and governments that came together to support this initial study continued to meet and look at how to create a shelter service in the Tri-Cities.  As homelessness was a new issue in this community, most effort focused on providing information to groups and the media about homelessness. In March 2005, the Tri-Cities community participated in a Metro Vancouver Homelessness Count.  Volunteers worked with people they knew to be homeless to meet others in the same situation.  At that time the volunteers were able to count 38 people homeless in the Tri-Cities. In spring 2006, the provincial government contracted the Hope for Freedom Society to conduct a 6 months pilot outreach project and prepare a report on the homeless in the Tri-Cities.  Hope For Freedom operates a residential addictions recovery program in the Tri-Cities and had prior experience with persons who are homeless.  In its first report published in October 2006 (see Learn More), Hope For Freedom estimated there were 177 homeless persons in the Tri-Cities during the report period.  Funding for the outreach project has now been extended to 2011. Metro Vancouver’s Homelessness Awareness Week in October 2006 included a forum on homelessness in the Tri-Cities.  This forum brought together many citizens and groups concerned about homelessness in the community, and brought new life to the Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group.  The Task Group developed a new Terms of Reference (see Who We Are) and in April 2007 carried out a strategic planning exercise (see What We Do). Our vision is simple “A future where all citizens of the Tri-Cities have access to appropriate housing and supports and no one is homeless”, and our mission broad “To provide leadership to create a continuum of housing and supports in the Tri-Cities The Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group meets regularly to move forward on creating services and supports for people who are homeless in the Tri-cities.  To find out what we are working on, see What We Do.