The first steps in a five-year strategic plan to address homelessness in Polk County have been taken by a group committed to ensuring that everyone in the county has a safe place to call home.
Among the strategies suggested in Blueprint to Address Homelessness, unveiled in May, was the reorganization of the existing Homeless Coordinating Council. The council has been reorganized, reconstituted and renamed Polk County Blueprint for Housing Solutions Alliance. Council co-chairs are Scott Jean, CEO and president of EMC Insurance Cos., and Chris Coleman, a Des Moines city councilman.
The alliance, which includes representatives from the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropy sectors, will lead, coordinate and accelerate implementation of the Blueprint, according to a news release. The alliance will be supported by a governance structure that allows for community-wide action…