MESH sees the provision of necessary, vital, and strategic technical assistance to communities, providers, and local, county, and state government as the foundation of its work to end homelessness.  Throughout its history, MESH has provided this essential service to a wide variety of partners: Continuums of Care (CoC), Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program Advisory committees (FHPAP), metro Heading Home Plan authors and committees, metro Housing Collaboratives and Coalitions, individual nonprofits and providers, State departments, and others.  MESH has provided TA, and reviewed and provided critical feedback on funding applications to increase applicant competitiveness, increase system-wide capacity, and increase the strength of collaborative efforts to end homelessness with unparalleled success and remarkable outcomes.  Moreover, MESH has seen a dramatic increase in the level of urgency for technical assistance over the last year.  With the downturn in the economy, providers and governments across the metro area have sought additional technical assistance to procure resources.  For example: in 2008, while only 52% of CoC regions across the United States were able to capture new funding for supportive housing projects, thanks to MESH’s technical assistance and guidance, all Twin Cities metro counties were awarded funding for new projects.  Make no mistake, MESH’s work is vital to ensure metro projects get funded.  MESH’s strategic and vital technical assistance is needed to ensure planning for the efficiency and efficacy of state and federal investments in our communities.