The Continuum of Care Plan is a "three stage plan" to meet the needs of the homeless:

1. Emergency Housing (Temporary Care) adds new beds in up to three new Homeless Assistance Centers to provide an alternative to sleeping on the street. The Homeless Assistance Center (HAC) is a new concept that provides shelter, showers, clothing, food, mail, telephones along with counseling and the development of a "case plan" for each individual.
   A homeless person's stay in such a center would be "short-term" - approximately 60 days.  A Homeless Assistance Center (HAC) is the "intake" facility for those entering the "system of care" and provides the needed stabilization and needs assessment.
   
2. Transitional Housing (Primary Care) provides a six to nine months stay with a focus on intensive case management, to include treatment, rehabilitation, employment, and job training. This care is specialized treatment (mental health; substance abuse; separate programs for men, women and children, AIDS patients, etc.) with the goal of preparing individuals to be self-sufficient.
   
3. Permanent, Supported Housing (Advanced Care)   provides supported long-term permanent housing such as church assisted housing, SRO's, voucher-based programs, scattered site leasing, etc. Programs providing move-in assistance are also available.