Long Island Coalition for the Homeless

Originally founded as the Nassau-Suffolk Partnership for the Homeless in 1985, the purpose of the coalition has expanded to include the coordination of homeless services provided by more than 125 agencies through the development of the Continuum of Care groups in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Since 1995, LICH has also coordinated applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for homeless funding. LICH's successful coordination of the Continuum of Care applications have resulted in over $101 million in funding for housing and services for Long Island's homeless since 1996. LICH has also provided technical assistance to organizations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties whose services do not meet the criteria for HUD funding, but are essential for meeting the needs of the homeless.

LICH educates the public and advocates for the development of three types of housing:

• Emergency housing - so no one has to sleep on the street.
• Transitional housing - so families and individuals with problems can be assisted in a service-supported, homelike environment.
• Permanent Low Cost Housing - so families and individuals working in low-wage jobs and those on public assistance can have decent, safe housing for themselves and their children.