By KELSEY SWANEKAMP
Buffalo Law Journal

This Saturday, the WNY Coalition for the Homeless will provide a "one-stop" array of services for the homeless and at-risk population.

The coalition is hosting Project Homeless Connect Buffalo, a convention of resources designed to help area residents who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.

"Our goal is to bring a wide variety of service providers together under one roof," said Tara Stahl, the co-chair of Project Homeless Connect Buffalo.

Joshua Dubs, a member of the planning committee, added that the event aims to help people overcome their homeless status.

"They can come to one place and get back on their feet," he said.

Services available will include health screenings, dental exams, HIV testing, housing resources and employment opportunities. At the event, volunteer "conductors" will be paired up with homeless clients to help attendees get to the right services and people.

"Many people don't realize these services are out there," said Dubs, an attorney at the Law Offices of Joshua Dubs.

Stahl said that according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau report, Buffalo is currently the third-poorest large city in the United States, with about 2,000 people homeless on any night. The resource fair in Buffalo is one of about 500 events being held throughout the U.S., Australia and Canada.

Stahl said she anticipated that the medical services would be a big draw. "There are so many people who are losing their jobs and their health insurance," she said. All services at the event are free of charge.

On July 9, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a new plan to provide $1.2 billion to communities to prevent homelessness.

Shaun Donovan, secretary of the department, said in a press conference that this new plan would "encourage localities to conceive new ways" to end and prevent homelessness.

Donovan added that over the course of one year, 1.6 million Americans are homeless for some period of time.

Dubs said the federal agency's new community-based solution was "worth a try."

"Between the attitude at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the commitment of civic organizations, we can really put a dent in homelessness," he said.