HR0413enr 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0413 Enrolled LRB093 12140 LCB 17058 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION 413

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are concerned that a disproportionate number of people in this State are unable to secure housing for themselves and their families and are forced to live in the streets without shelter or in emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS, A substantial number of the homeless population are mentally ill or developmentally disabled; these homeless people are more readily subjected to abuse; and

WHEREAS, Despite current public and private efforts, the homeless problem in this State is a critical threat to the health, safety, and welfare of many people and communities across the State; and

WHEREAS, It is in the public interest that the General Assembly take immediate and necessary action to ensure a more adequate response to the needs of homeless people; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly also acknowledges that the complex problem of homelessness in this State is being addressed by a rapidly growing range of services from the State and local governments as well as the private sector; and

WHEREAS, This creates the need for coordination and planning in the allocation of resources and in the design and implementation of new programs to serve the homeless; the General Assembly finds that there is a need for a single entity to coordinate these efforts; therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Department of Human Services consider the feasibility of creating a State Advocacy Program for the Homeless Mentally Ill and Developmentally Disabled; and be it further

RESOLVED, That if a State Advocacy Program for the Homeless Mentally Ill and Developmentally Disabled is created by the Department of Human Services, it should be established within the Bureau of Homeless Services and Supportive Housing and that its duties include at least the following:

(1) promote and facilitate the development of community-based support systems to protect the health, safety, welfare, and civil rights of homeless individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities;

(2) assist in the development and implementation of programs under a coordinated, comprehensive, and integrated community-based support system for these individuals;

(3) develop a plan providing assistance to homeless persons, including financial aid, food, clothing, health care, counseling, training, and employment services that may enable the person to become self-sufficient in a stable living environment;

(4) provide assistance through individualized service plans; and

(5) identify and secure sources of funding for the services for homeless individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities and assist in the development of criteria, standards, and procedures for allocating those resources in the most effective manner possible; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Human Services report to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2005 regarding its determination of the feasibility of creating the State Advocacy Program of the Homeless Mentally Ill and Developmentally Disabled, together with a plan for implementation if applicable; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be provided to the Secretary of Human Services.