In 2005, the City of Waco approved a 10 year plan to end homelessness. Part of the plan focuses on Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). According to the plan, the aim is to provide the balance of services and support needed to promote housing stability and break the cycle of homelessness.
 
PSH gaps identified in the 2005 plan include: an absence of PSH in Waco , lack of leadership for the project, a lack of funding and awareness, and a need for improved referral processes.
 
Progress has been made in the past fiveyears. Gaps in the provision of PSH are being closed. Leadership for the project is emerging. Preventative measures are being taken.  The goal of 55 PSH units has been exceeded. A location for a PSH site has been identified.
 
The Shelter Plus Care program and the Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) program collectively are providing permanent supportive housing opportunities to more than 60 people. Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) referral processes are being improved, through expansion of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). In addition, according to Teri Holtkamp and Chris Lazaro, City of Waco Housing Staff,
 
“Over the past five years, community stakeholders have…
 
 
·     Identified a viable location for the housing
·     Been in contact with a developer who is interested in building the property
·     Determined the number of units required to effectively serve the formerly homeless population without concentrating at-risk residents in one location (roughly 10-12 units per 100)
·     Completed a feasibility study with Mercy Housing, achieving favorable results
·       Already identified 60 units of veteran-specific supportive housing and 7 units of supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals/families (scattered site)
·      Learned from other PSH sites to develop best practices and ensure sustainability of the project
·      Located some potential funding sources to construct the project
·       Gained support for the project by residents of the Castle Heights neighborhood”