FAQs
What is the Relationship between Signal Centers and CICH?
On February 11, 2020 the Chattanooga Interagency Council on Homelessness (CICH) approved Signal Centers as the lead
agency to provide backbone support which includes guiding strategy, supporting aligned activities, establishing shared
measurement, cultivating community engagement and ownership, advancing policy, and mobilizing resources. On April 1,
2020, the Director of Homeless Services was hired to lead the effort and provide leadership, support, and coordination to
implement the CICH 2018 Action Plan and reduce homelessness in Chattanooga.
agency to provide backbone support which includes guiding strategy, supporting aligned activities, establishing shared
measurement, cultivating community engagement and ownership, advancing policy, and mobilizing resources. On April 1,
2020, the Director of Homeless Services was hired to lead the effort and provide leadership, support, and coordination to
implement the CICH 2018 Action Plan and reduce homelessness in Chattanooga.
Is CICH a Nonprofit?
No. The Chattanooga Interagency Council on Homelessness (CICH) is a group of organizations and individuals appointed by the
Chattanooga Mayor that plan, coordinate, and accelerate our city’s response to ending homelessness.
Chattanooga Mayor that plan, coordinate, and accelerate our city’s response to ending homelessness.
What is housing First?
Housing First is a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing
homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and
improve their quality of life. This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to
live before attending to anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or attending to substance use issues.
Additionally, Housing First is based on the theory that client choice is valuable in housing selection and supportive service
participation, and that exercising that choice is likely to make a client more successful in
homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and
improve their quality of life. This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to
live before attending to anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or attending to substance use issues.
Additionally, Housing First is based on the theory that client choice is valuable in housing selection and supportive service
participation, and that exercising that choice is likely to make a client more successful in
remaining housed and improving their life.
Source: Housing First – National Alliance to End Homelessness