"The city is launching a first-of-its-kind effort to address chronic homelessness in the wake of a "tent city" encampment on east Jefferson this winter that took months to disband.Tent city residents hunkered down in sub-zero temperatures, lending an urgency to the new initiative that officials say will focus on improving coordination and permanent supportive housing opportunities for the chronically homeless.

Homeless advocates involved in the partnership hope it results in a stronger emphasis on providing housing first and supportive services later, as needed.

At the same time, grant funding is being earmarked for two service agencies to reach out to homeless people in the neighborhoods, not just Detroit's downtown.

"We're hoping that together we'll come up with a plan, metrics and goals that we're all standing behind later this year," said Arthur Jemison, director of the city's Housing and Revitalization Department.

Mayor Mike Duggan tapped Jemison to pull together the working group of aid agencies. The member organizations are slated to deliver findings and recommendations to Duggan in June."

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/new...ness/27158867/