The philosophy of CHIP is that no one should have to suffer through homelessness, and that homelessness can be ended person by person. Further, CHIP believes that the homeless do not wish to be pitied, rather they need a hand up through the provision of services and the social tools that will lead them to a higher level of independence and permanent housing.
CHIP meets homelessness face to face by providing a multiplicity of services.
More than just a shelter, CHIP works to bring all the resources of the community to bear on homelessness. A biweekly Team Case Conference made up of many area service providers pool their resources and devise plans to move individuals along a continuum of care toward independent living. Further, the CHIP Advisory Board continues to monitor the effectiveness of homeless programs, discovers gaps in services which perpetuates homelessness, and works to create new services to address all concerns of the homeless and the community at large. Finally, through its close association with the Clearwater Police Department, CHIP holds the homeless to a high standard of accountability and responsibility while offering a positive and humane solution to their homeless situation. These individuals have also participated in the CHIP program elements of counseling, goal planning and setting, obtaining employment, budgeting, and accepting the responsibility to change their lives.