What does it take for a county to move toward functional zero for homelessness?

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Karrington Anderson and Dominic Butchko sit down with Kelly Cimino, Director of the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development, to unpack The Path Toward Zero, Howard County’s ambitious five-year plan to end homelessness.

Kelly walks through what “functional zero” really means in practice, why homelessness is fundamentally a housing supply challenge, and how counties can align prevention, diversion, shelter capacity, and permanent housing to better serve residents. The conversation explores the realities counties face today: limited affordable housing, rising costs, federal funding uncertainty, and the need for strong partnerships with nonprofits, healthcare providers, landlords, and the broader community.

Listeners will also hear how Howard County is using innovative tools, from landlord guarantee programs to non-congregate shelter models, to build capacity, respond quickly to crises, and keep residents housed whenever possible. This episode offers valuable insights for county leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in how local governments are addressing one of the most complex challenges facing communities today.

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