What Ending Homelessness Taught Me About System Resilience
Strategy, structure, and community trust in uncertain times
Introduction
During the pandemic, Montgomery County doubled its housing placements and cut homelessness nearly in half. The results were dramatic—but they weren’t the product of luck or money alone.
What made the difference was preparedness.
As HUD signals major changes to the Continuum of Care program and local leaders face increased uncertainty, one thing is clear: resilient systems don’t start in crisis—they’re built before it.
The Five Essentials of a Resilient Homelessness Response System
1. Strategy Anchored in a Clear Mission
We didn’t just react—we had a plan:
Prevent homelessness whenever possible
Quickly connect people to housing
Provide the supports needed to stay housed
This wasn’t a program-by-program approach—it was a system-wide strategy driven by values and grounded in real-time learning.
2. Data That Highlights Gaps and Directs Action
Our system tracked more than outcomes.
We reviewed data regularly to detect trends
We knew who was coming in, who was stuck, and where exits stalled
We didn’t just ask what worked—we asked what wasn’t working and why
That allowed us to respond quickly and effectively, especially during emergencies.
3. Cost Insight That Enables Smart Investment
When funding from the CARES Act and flex sources became available, we didn’t scramble—we acted. Why? Because we already knew:
The cost to permanently house someone
Which interventions were most impactful
Where funding gaps were holding us back
One of our most successful responses? Direct cash assistance. We gave people $5,000 to leave shelter and stabilize on their own terms.
4. Infrastructure and Community Decision-Making
Resources are only as effective as the infrastructure that supports them.
We had:
A cross-sector governing body
A committee of people with lived experience influencing policy and contracts
Strong partnerships with culturally rooted providers and systems like schools and domestic violence services
It wasn’t just about coordination. It was about shared ownership and action.
5. Local Leadership That Doesn’t Wait for Federal Permission
Even as HUD considers removing governance requirements or shifting funding structures, local governments still have a choice:
Build your own system of accountability and direction.
We created centralized access, revamped prioritization, and ensured no one’s housing pathway depended on how well they could advocate for themselves.
The structure we built can survive a federal pullback—because it was made to serve the community, not a mandate.
A New Service for a New Era
That experience shaped the creation of the System Alignment and Resilience Toolkit—a customizable support package that helps local governments:
✅ Understand current funding use and vulnerabilities
✅ Forecast the impact of federal policy changes
✅ Identify opportunities to realign funds toward housing outcomes
✅ Model cost-effectiveness
✅ Build or strengthen planning infrastructure and decision-making
This is not a one-size-fits-all tool. It’s a flexible, strategic offering built around the unique needs of your system.
Ready to Prepare for What’s Next?
If your community is asking how to stay effective as HUD evolves—let’s talk.
📩 Email me at amanda@amandajharris.consulting
🔗 Learn more about the Toolkit here
