By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said Monday putting an end to homelessness within 10 years is a conceivable goal.
Slay and Missouri Governor Bob Holden visited a St. Louis shelter to launch a multi-agency plan to combat chronic homelessness.
The mayor says the program focuses on permanent rather than transitional housing, and aims more resources at the neediest cases.
"We have joined with our cities across the nation in taking up the challenge to end chronic homelessness and to eradicate hunger," Slay said. "We must refuse to accept homelessness and hunger as an inevitable part of our urban landscape."
Slay says an $8 million federal grant from earlier this year is now being used for permanent housing facilities in the city. St. Louis could be eligible for more federal funding under a new national program.