COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL PLAN FOR AMERICA'S HOMELESS

WHEREAS, the Federal government plays a critical role in helping America's cities address poverty and homelessness; and

WHEREAS, recent data suggests that while many more families are prospering than ever before, the gulf between the haves and have-nots has increased, with housing costs soaring in many cities leading to increasing numbers of families and individuals being left homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has led efforts through the McKinney program to ensure that municipalities develop and implement comprehensive "Continuums of Care" to serve homeless individuals and families and proposed $1.12 billion in its FY 2002 budget for homeless assistance; and

WHEREAS, HUD McKinney funds have allowed cities to leverage these funds extensively with local, state and privately-raised dollars to provide critical supportive services and housing to help individuals and families move out of homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Shelter Plus Care and the Supportive Housing Program, currently components of the McKinney program, provide needed rental assistance and supportive services to homeless individuals and families; and

WHEREAS, despite cities' significant leveraging efforts the need for homeless assistance is tremendous, with cities not being able to subsume renewal funding required to continue critical programs and services; and

WHEREAS, the Administration recognized this need in its FY 2002 budget by providing dedicated funding for Shelter Plus Care renewals to complement the McKinney structure; and

WHEREAS, there is a concurrent need, similar to that of Shelter Plus Care, to provide dedicated funding for Supportive Housing Program renewals; and

WHEREAS, there is also a significant need to ensure the sustainability of highly effective supportive services and other housing programs established by local Continuums of Care, including transitional housing, substance abuse and mental health services and job training,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors reaffirms its commitment to fight against homelessness as a top priority; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges Congress and the Administration to expeditiously enact legislation that funds expiring Shelter Plus Care under the Housing Certificate Fund and provide dedicated full funding for the renewal of both Shelter Plus Care and Supportive Housing Program contracts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges Congress and the Administration to enact additional legislation that provides dedicated full funding for supportive services, transitional housing, and other permanent housing programs initially established through the McKinney Homeless Assistance program and require renewal funds to continue operations of these essential programs and services.

Projected Cost: Unknown