One of the strategies of IVOW is to get local officials involved. And, Yelverton says they are now stepping up their efforts through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, or HUD’s, National Mayor's Challenge, “There are over 600 mayors, governors and county officials that have already joined the National Mayor’s Challenge and cities like New Orleans have already met their goal of ending homelessness, veteran homelessness.” Recently, Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Nathan Boyles and a coalition of local mayors from the area symbolically signed on to show their commitment to the endeavor.... Community Solutions, an initiative of The Greater Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, is currently making great progress by creating a safe haven called One Hopeful Place due to open in the fall, “So, with One Hopeful Place, with the wonderful group that has been volunteering their time.  I’m really proud to be with this group. One Hopeful Place is under construction now; we have the architects which are looking to expand the overhead which is part of the old sewer plant. It’s a site that I’m very happy with county and Ft. Walton and how they came together. It’s an area that we’re able to afford to put it together.” As noted by Mongell, the new facility is located at the city’s old wastewater treatment plant off of North Beal Extension, the site offers about eight acres that will be used to house and feed the homeless, act as a resource center, and a cold-night weather shelter for the county.