ENDORSING 10 YEAR PLANNING PROCESS TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration has called for a 10 year Initiative to End Chronic
Homelessness; and
WHEREAS, chronically homeless individuals and families, those with the most persistent forms of
homelessness, are afflicted not only by poverty but also by chronic conditions such as mental illness
and substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, many of these individuals and families cycle repeatedly through our local shelters,
hospital emergency rooms, psychiatric wards, detox programs, and even criminal justice system;
and
WHEREAS, there exists new research findings, housing programs and discharge planning models
that demonstrate that ending chronic homelessness is within the nation's grasp; and
WHEREAS, mayors and cities are on the front lines of response to homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the abolition of chronic homelessness requires collaboration and coordination of
resources at all levels of government, together with community institutions, businesses, and faith-based organizations, to best determine how to implement prevention and intervention strategies;
and
WHEREAS, the federal government is coordinating policies and resources to assist the efforts to
end chronic homelessness through the Interagency Council on Homelessness; and
WHEREAS, a number of major cities across the country, including Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis
and Phoenix, have already created and committed to 10 year plans to end chronic homelessness,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors will, in
partnership with the Federal government, work to meet the challenge of the Bush Administration's
goal of having 100 ten-year city plans to end chronic homelessness in place by January 2004; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors
will work with the Interagency Council on Homelessness to ensure policies and resources support
the elimination of chronic homelessness; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the 10-year
planning process and strongly encourages cities to create and implement performance based,
results oriented strategic plans to end chronic homelessness in 10 years.
©2003 U.S. Conference of Mayors 
