Like in most major cities, Austin has a sizeable population of homeless people, and the question of how to help these people exists.

In 2011, an organization was established called “100 Homes.” Working alongside a program called Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), their main purpose was to put 100 of Austin’s neediest homeless in homes and out of the street.

Their biggest goal being a dramatic decrease in homeless in the city of Austin by July 2013. Well, it is February of 2013 and only thirteen people have been placed in homes. Why is that?

This should make anyone raise an eyebrow at the organization. Their website brings up a page that says “this website cannot be found, please return to homepage.”

What happened to this great idea?

100 Homes’ executive director, Ann Howard, could not be contacted, seemingly exposing a lack of dedication on the director’s part.

This supposedly organized project just sort of fell by the wayside. The advertisements might be a part of the problem. How would the homeless know where to go to receive this help? 100 Homes has a Facebook page and all of their contact information is online. However, many homeless people probably do not have access to the Internet.

Instead of focusing on reaching people through different online media, 100 Homes should focus on actually helping people in the real world. Find a way to contact them. Figure out how to make it known 100 Homes is more than a program with an online presence. They are also willing to help.

Presumably, homeless people are difficult to contact since they do not have official addresses. Perhaps this is just one of the difficulties the program ran into.

It is hard to tell whether this project can come back and make a difference by its intended deadline, but all hope is not lost.

With better advertisements and involvement from their directors, this project could benefit many people in the Austin community.

To build their image in Austin, “100 Homes” should place flyers throughout the city. These flyers should have dates of all the events to attend, complete with a map and address. This would make the program accessible to those who do not have cars and whose only means of getting around is by foot or public transportation.

This program has so much potential to flourish. Getting the homeless off the streets not only provides them with housing, but also makes the them safer. People should be living in homes, not under a bridge. 100 Homes can still make a difference, if they are willing to try and follow through with their efforts.