Governor Mitt Romney and Homelessness

Quotes from Governor Mitt Romney on Homelessness

• “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.” Source: 02-14-2003 Press Release

• “With approximately 1,500 Massachusetts families currently living in shelters and motels, it is important that the Commonwealth provide decent and safe temporary housing opportunities to the homeless,” said Romney. “But it is equally important that we continue to provide resources and services to assist them in transitioning out of shelters and into permanent, independent housing.” Mitt Romney, Source: 03- 25-2003 Press Release

• “Even in difficult financial times, homeless parents should not have to worry about whether their children are going to have a safe place to sleep,” said Romney. “Our commitment to help them is stronger than ever.” Mitt Romney, Source: 05-02-2003 Press Release

• “State government’s current system of coordinating homeless services is best described as a patchwork approach to the problem. 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.” Mitt Romney, Source: 02-14-2003 Press Release

• “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. 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.” Mitt Romney, Source: 02-14-2003 Press Release

• “In order to maintain long-term economic growth and prosperity, we must attract and retain talented people to live and work in Massachusetts. To do that, we must not only work harder, but we need to work smarter, to increase the state's housing supply and have it affordable to those across a broad range of incomes.” Mitt Romney, Source: 02-18-2003 Press Release

• "It's dangerous for people to be exposed to these frigid temperatures for any length of time. We have increased the number of emergency shelter beds and also significantly increased the staffing of our homeless outreach teams, which are working to get people off the streets. I plan to do everything I can to get the homeless into warm shelters. No one will be turned away." Mitt Romney, source: 01-14-2004 Press Release

• “We are on a mission to double housing starts in Massachusetts and this is one approach to help get us there without spending new taxpayer dollars,” said Romney. “These new resources are critical at a time when public funds are limited, but the need for new housing is enormous.” Mitt Romney, source: 01-26-2004, Press Release

• “We need to give seniors the help they need to stay in their homes as long as possible. With a little help, we can keep seniors in their own home instead of putting them into what for many turns out to be an inappropriate institutionalized setting,” said Romney. He added, “Our goal is to help meet the needs of our elders as they define them, not as a government bureaucracy defines them.” Mitt Romney, source: 02-18-2004, Press Release

• “Over the past two years, my Administration has placed a high priority on developing tools that strike at the root of homelessness,” said Romney, after serving meals with his wife, Ann, at Morgan Memorial Goodwill’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. “For the third year in a row, my budget proposal will include full funding to help homeless families and individuals turn their lives around.” Mitt Romney, source: 11-24-2004, Press Release

• “We want to make it easier for more families in Massachusetts to realize the American dream of buying their own home,” said Governor Romney. “The commitment of these funds from the Bush Administration not only represent downpayments for new homes, they also represent an investment towards a prosperous future for the families of our Commonwealth.” Mitt Romney, source: 11-12-2004, Press Release

• “The Village at Marstons Mills represents a down payment on a more affordable future for Barnstable County,” Romney said. “High-quality, affordable housing is just as important as top-notch schools, good jobs, a first-class infrastructure and safe neighborhoods. My Administration is working overtime to create additional housing opportunities for families across a broad range of incomes.” Mitt Romney, source: 10-21-2004, Press Release

• “The rising cost of housing has kept the dream of owning a home out of reach for too many families in Massachusetts,” said Governor Mitt Romney. “It is important that we continue to target our state resources into programs which bridge that financial gap and increase affordable homeownership opportunities for families throughout the Commonwealth.” Mitt Romney, source: 03- 31-2004, Press Release

• “Fair and affordable housing should be a right, not a privilege,” said Romney, addressing a meeting of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. “With the help of this newly formed committee, we will make that right a reality and ensure a vibrant and diverse Commonwealth for years to come.” Mitt Romney, source: 03-08-2004, Press Release

• “This advisory board will be well served by the counsel of diverse housing community groups and it will help us to continue promoting fair housing practices throughout the state,” said Romney. “In doing so, we will also be in a more favorable position when seeking future federal housing dollars.” Mitt Romney, source: 03-08-2004, Press Release

• “As we move forward with our goals to double housing starts and promote smart growth, valuable input from Community Development Corporations will be critical to ensure that we continue to advance fair housing practices and objectives in our Commonwealth,” said Romney. Mitt Romney, source: 03-08-2004, Press Release

• “All hard-working families in the Commonwealth deserve a chance to be homeowners, but that has become increasingly difficult for many because we have some of the highest high housing costs in the nation,” said Romney, source: 03-21-2005, Press Release

• “To alleviate that problem, I have pledged to increase our housing supply by doubling the number of housing starts in Massachusetts so that there are more affordable homes available to those across a broad range of incomes,” Romney added, source: 03-21-2005, Press Release

• “We need to build more housing to keep our state economically competitive. This bill acknowledges community costs that may be associated with increased housing production,” said Romney. Mitt Romney, source: 11-23-2005-, Press Release

Press Releases from Governor Mitt Romney on Homelessness

2003

03- 25-2003, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES $3.1 MILLION FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES

05-02-2003, ROMNEY SIGNS BILL TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING FOR HOMELESS

02-14-2003, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES COMMISSION TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS

02-18-2003, ROMNEY CONVENES AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE

11-20-2003, ROMNEY CREATES PERMANENT HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING COUNCIL

2004

01-14-2004, ROMNEY BOOSTS FUNDING FOR HOMELESS PROGRAMS IN '05 BUDGET

01-26-2004, ROMNEY LAUNCHES $100 MILLION PROGRAM TO SPUR NEW HOUSING

02-18-2004, ROMNEY WANTS TO HELP SENIORS STAY IN THEIR HOMES

11-24-2004, ROMNEY RENEWS COMMITMENT TO HELPING THE HOMELESS

11-12-2004, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES $1.5M FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM

10-21-2004, ROMNEY AWARDS $1.4M TO PROMOTE NEW HOUSING ON CAPE COD

03- 31-2004, ROMNEY, HEALEY ANNOUNCE $2M FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

03-08-2004, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF FAIR HOUSING ADVISORY PANEL

2005

03-21-2005, ROMNEY AWARDS $4.55M FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROJECTS

11-23-2005-, ROMNEY SIGNS LAW TO COVER SCHOOL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SMART GROWTH HOUSING

Also see Housing

Debate about Governor Mitt Romney and Homelessness

Mitt Romney has a good position on homelessness.

Reasons to agree:

1. He argues for Efficiency in the social service departments that handle homelessness.

My brother is homeless, and so this means a little more to me. I do not feel clear on the issue, and am just as perplexed by the issue as everyone else.