Mobile Mayor Sam Jones has appointed USA Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Dr. Joseph F. Busta to the Mobile-Baldwin Task Force to End Chronic Homelessness. The goal of the task force is to creatively and efficiently develop an action plan to reduce and end homelessness in Mobile and Baldwin Counties.

The current 10-year strategic plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is nearing an end and a new plan is required. The new plan will guide public and private agencies in Mobile and Baldwin County to better serve the needs of the homeless and better serve the community to qualify for state and federal funding. The task force will be composed of 50 community leaders and will be staffed by Housing First, Inc. The team will begin work in July with a completion target of the end of 2013. The new strategic plan will provide more effective programs and services to the homeless population in southwest Alabama.

This is a most important task and one of significance and consequence for our community and one which will improve the quality of life for those in need in our region,” Dr. Busta said.

Over the next several months, he will work directly with Eric B. Jefferson, the Executive Director of Housing First to complete the mission of the task force.