The Momentum Is Real: Together, We’re Building a Future Without Homelessness
At United Way of Cass-Clay, we believe in bold goals—and few are as bold and necessary as ending homelessness. Earlier this year, we launched the United to End Homelessness initiative, a community-wide collaboration with the FM Coalition to End Homelessness. Today, we’re proud to share the meaningful momentum building in our community—proof that, united is the way we turn compassion into action and make real progress toward ending homelessness.
This is a unique moment. Our region is fully aligned, mobilized, and ready – with the data, leadership, and national best practices needed to drive lasting change.
Our Vision
We are committed to ending homelessness for individuals and families in our community. Through strategic partnerships, data-informed decisions, and focused funding, we’re addressing the root causes of homelessness. Our vision is clear – to create a community where homelessness is prevented or brief and everyone has access to the programs and services they deserve to thrive.
What does it mean to end homelessness?
Ending homelessness means making it rare, brief, and one-time – that is our goal. ensuring everyone has access to safe, stable, permanent housing and the comprehensive support they need to thrive. It involves both preventing homelessness and providing support to those already experiencing it.
Tangible Progress So Far
🔹 Cross-Sector Collaboration
We’ve formed a cross-sector Steering Committee with 15 local organizations, including shelters, housing providers, and city and county services. These partners are working together like never before to align housing access, case management, and community support.
🔹 Measuring the Need for Increased Housing
This past winter, between 55 and 65 people in our community relied on temporary winter programs because there wasn’t access to shelter beds. We know the answer isn’t more winter warming options, or even more shelter beds. The root causes are two-fold; and we’re already working on solutions:
1. Too many individuals are entering the homelessness system.
• United Way of Cass-Clay has been leading, investing in, and collaborating on homelessness prevention for over a decade. That experience—and the data behind it—has laid the groundwork to now scale proven solutions and end homelessness for good.
• Through the United to End Homelessness initiative, we aim to expand what works so fewer people ever reach the point of needing shelter.
• In just the past year, United Way investments helped to prevent 2,761 people from becoming homeless, and 85% remained housed—clear evidence that our approach works.
• Preventing homelessness through Housing Navigation Programs saves lives and money. In 2024 alone, the Housing Navigation Program, lead by Presentation Partners in Housing and supported by United Way, saved $1.3 million in avoided emergency costs. Over the past seven years, prevention efforts have saved the community more than $4.3 million.
2. Our community doesn’t have enough housing options for individuals to exit the homelessness system.
• We’ve already identified 20+ available housing units and are onboarding up to 8 new case managers who will comprehensively help individuals and families transition from homelessness to stability. That’s real progress you’re making happen when you support this work.
🔹 United to End Homelessness Fund – Your Opportunity to Help
We’ve launched a $2.5 million fundraising effort that will fuel the solutions to address homelessness in Cass and Clay counties—providing immediate housing support while working toward long-term, systemic change. This fund supports housing solutions, prevention programs, and broader efforts to transform the system. Join us in making a difference—donate today.
🔹 Actionable Plan with Progress
We’re focused on reducing inflow into homelessness and increasing outflow into permanent housing. Our team has already hit key milestones in our action plan.
🔹 Regional Proclamation of Commitment
On April 11, five mayors and two county commissioners signed a joint proclamation to officially unite our region around this cause – showing their commitment to working together for change.
The Local Landscape
While homelessness rose 18% nationwide last year, Cass and Clay counties saw a 5% increase. We know our coordinated effort to prevent homelessness has played a significant role in why we fared better than the national average. Still, over 1,050 individuals experience homelessness on any given night in our area—and nearly 600 students are without stable housing.
These numbers represent real people—neighbors like Samantha, a mother who regained stability thanks to United Way-supported programs, and Josh, a teenager who found hope in the face of crisis.
How You Can Help
Ending homelessness is a bold goal—but it’s one we can achieve together.
Donate
Fuel housing solutions and support services that change lives.
Give Now
Stay Informed
Track progress, hear stories of impact, and see your support in action.
See Updates
Spread the Word
Talk to friends, employers, and neighbors. Let them know we’re making real progress – and there’s a role for everyone in this work.
Thank You
Ending homelessness is a social change that has taken other communities years to develop. Your trust and support empowers us to harness this momentum, and make long-term change for every individual and family in our local community – including you.
Questions? Want to learn more? Connect with our team – we want to hear from you.
Email unitedway@unitedwaycassclay.org.