The man credited with helping revive the Lawrence Coalition for Homeless Concerns is resigning as chairman of the organization.

Gary Miller, who also coordinates homeless programs for Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, said the coalition and Bert Nash may compete for the same grants to fund their activities. That created a conflict of interest, he said.

“There’s nothing I’ve done that’s wrong,” he said. “But especially this year, with the budget crunch, you have to be careful.”

Miller and several others revived the coalition after two homeless Lawrence residents died in the summer of 2000. Since then, the coalition has lobbied the Lawrence City Commission to provide money for shelter and it has provided summertime shelter in league with St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Miller said he will remain with the coalition as a nonvoting member, providing “technical” support.

“I will continue to participate in coalition meetings and advocate for homeless concerns in our community,” he said in his resignation letter. “As a member my role will have a broader range of what I could accomplish in advocating, collaborating, facilitating and improving mentally ill homeless services.”

He received praise from coalition members.

“We have been so fortunate to have someone so young and so dedicated at the helm of our organization,” said Mary Siegrist, an activist for homeless concerns.

No successor has been announced. The coalition will meet at 3 p.m. May 7 in Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt.