Strengthening Communities:
Praise for Nebraska's Chronic Homelessness Plan

Listening to comments from Field Office Director Stan Quy are, from the left, Ms. Marilyn Wegenhaupt, Chair of the Omaha Continuum of Care, Ms. Betty Medinger, NE Health and Human Services Manager, Mr. Del Bomberger, Director of the Stephens Center, and NE Governor Mike Johanns.

The State of Nebraska is one of the first five states to complete and adopt a ten-year plan to end chronic homelessness. Nebraska's plan is the product of a thirty-member team consisting of representatives from the State as well as HUD and many local organizations. In their review of the plan, the federal working group praised the team's work, and labeled the plan as being practical, well thought out, and comprehensive.

Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns issued a proclamation to celebrate adoption of the plan. At the event, HUD Field Office Director Stan Quy noted that "the plan incorporates many of the Governor's key initiatives in community-based housing and services for the mentally ill and the recently incarcerated". Nearly 20 key homeless advocacy providers attended the proclamation signing. Nebraska Health and Human Services representative Betty Medinger spoke for State members of the team. She noted the effort provided a real opportunity to pull together people and target efforts to address complex and systemic problems that result in homelessness. "We did not want this to become another academic exercise", she said.