It’s an honor to begin the new year with The Oregonian Editorial Board’s ringing endorsement of our community’s plan to end homelessness.

In particular, they call out the plan’s two cornerstones: the ‘housing-first’ strategy, which prioritizes getting people into homes as a first step; and 'supportive housing,' which offers services along with housing and is the most cost-effective way to help people become self-sufficient.

In “First, a place of their own,” the Editorial Board lauds two of our most valuable community partners, Central City Concern and JOIN, for their “success not only in getting people into housing, but also in keeping them there.”

This year, we will build on our strong partnership with our government partners, including Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury and Senator Jeff Merkley.

The Editorial Board makes a strong case for long-term, cost-effective strategies to combat homelessness:

Giving people a safe, warm place to live averts the tailspin of illness, violence and injury the homeless suffer when they camp outdoors. That makes them less employable and more likely to be a permanent liability for taxpayers. A sturdy safety net can withstand public scrutiny because it’s cost-effective. And the smartest safety net of all is one that has four walls and a roof.

We couldn’t agree more.