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COUNTY OF ANOKA <br /> Governmental Services Division <br /> M iiMi Office of Community Development <br /> GOVERNMENT CENTER, Suite 700 <br /> HeadingHome 2100 3rd Avenue • Anoka, Minnesota 55303 -5024 <br /> ANOKA (763) 323 -5700 <br /> a IF r - A regional initiative to end homelessness <br /> September 22, 2011 <br /> Dallas Larson <br /> City Administrator, City of Centerville <br /> 1880 Main St <br /> Centerville, MN 55038 <br /> Dear Dallas Larson, <br /> One night in January this year, 1,461 persons in Anoka County were homeless. <br /> Of those, 576 were Children in families, 132 were unaccompanied youth under age 21. <br /> 461 households were doubled -up; meaning shared housing situations in which the house or <br /> apartment is crowded with people. Being doubled-up is being homeless. <br /> Persons who are homeless lack a safe, stable, permanent place to live. Without stable housing, persons <br /> often struggle in other areas of basic living, such as mental health, holding a steady job, or looking for a <br /> job. Homelessness is a growing trend in Anoka County. From 2009 to 2011, the number of homeless <br /> persons in Anoka County grew by 45 %, with a startling increase of almost 100% homeless youth. <br /> "Heading Home Anoka: Sharing the Solution" <br /> Heading Home Anoka is a local group of community, non- profit, and government agencies working <br /> together to end homelessness. Community partnerships, increasing homelessness awareness, and the <br /> desire to provide warm, safe housing are important goals for ending homelessness in Anoka County. It is <br /> essential that all community members are aware of homelessness and the impact community <br /> participation can have on ensuring that everyone has a safe, permanent home. <br /> At the end of October, the Anoka County Board of Commissioners will be proclaiming November as <br /> Homelessness Awareness Month. Our goal is to have each city in Anoka County join the effort to <br /> promote public awareness of homelessness and have their city also proclaim November as <br /> Homelessness Awareness Month. <br /> a <br /> OPPORTUNITY ITY FAX: 763- 323 -5682 Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer TDD /TTY: 763 -323 -5289 <br /> 8 <br />