02-14-2003

Page history last edited by myclob 3 yrs ago

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Executive Department

State House Boston, MA 02133

(617) 725-4000

MITT ROMNEY

GOVERNOR

KERRY HEALEY

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 14, 2003

CONTACT:

Shawn Feddeman

Nicole St. Peter

(617) 725-4025

ROMNEY ANNOUNCES COMMISSION TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS

Tasked with coordinating state services to homeless

Governor Mitt Romney today announced the creation of a new interagency commission that will focus on preventing the spread of homelessness in the Commonwealth and identify immediate steps and long-term solutions to providing decent, safe and affordable housing to the homeless.

“State government’s current system of coordinating homeless services is best described as a patchwork approach to the problem,” said Romney.

He added, “The responsibility for administering the systems and programs that address homeless families and individuals is scattered throughout state government. There is an insufficient level of coordination resulting in a rising number of homeless people slipping through the cracks. We can do better.”

Romney noted that more than a dozen different agencies throughout state government are currently responsible for the systems and programs addressing the needs of the homeless families and individuals. The newly established Commission for Homeless Services Coordination will advise Romney on ways to enhance coordination, improve the current delivery system and prevent the spread of homelessness in Massachusetts.

Chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Ron Preston, the Commission will regularly report to Romney on its progress and on the effectiveness on the measures it has implemented. It will also report on current data on the level of unmet needs, recommendations for changes in annual appropriations and for legislation that may be necessary to assure future progress.

In addition, the Commission will work in conjunction with an advisory board, led by Reebok CEO Paul Fireman, which will create public/private partnerships that will provide affordable housing alternatives.

The Commission’s first report to the Governor is due within 90 days of its first meeting next month.

The combination of rising housing costs and a stalled economy has led to more people turning to the streets with no place else to go. While there are no precise figures available to measure the number of homeless in Massachusetts, the demand for beds in the state’s homeless shelters has now exceeded the supply of those beds for 52 consecutive months. On any given night in the last calendar year, an average of 117 people sought overnight shelter accommodations for every 100 slots available.

“Figures like these highlight the serious need for improved statewide coordination and better allocation of our resources. It’s not simply a matter of spending money – it’s a matter of spending it smartly,” said Romney.

“To the maximum extent possible, public agencies and departments have to work together more closely to better assist homeless individuals and families as they try to transition out of shelters and into permanent housing.”

Last month, Romney filed a $2 million supplemental appropriation to close the deficit in the Emergency Assistance Shelter program for homeless families. In addition, no homeless benefits were reduced as a result of the recent emergency 9C cuts Romney made to close the $650 million budget gap for Fiscal Year 2003.

Governor’s Homeless Commission Members

Chairman Ronald Preston, Health and Human Services Secretary

Eric Kriss, Administration and Finance Secretary

Peter Nessen, Education Secretary-designee

Jennifer Davis Carey, Elder Affairs Secretary

John Wagner, Transitional Assistance Commissioner

Michael Maloney, Corrections Commissioner

Jane Gumble, Housing and Community Development Director

Dave Driscoll, Education Commissioner

Harry Spence, Social Services Commissioner

Christine Ferguson, Public Health Commissioner

Gerry Morrissey, Mental Retardation Commissioner