Resolve, Directing All Relevant Agencies of State Government To Work in Concert with a Plan To End and Prevent Homelessness To Ensure That Resources Are Available To End Homelessness in the State

Preamble. Whereas,  there are thousands of homeless people throughout the State including families, adults, youths, veterans of the United States Armed Forces and victims of domestic violence; and

Whereas,  numerous homeless shelters have exceeded capacity and are overflowing, and some homeless shelters have had to turn away individuals and families; and

Whereas,  homelessness is destructive for the homeless, who may deteriorate or develop health issues or mental health issues and cease to be stable and productive members of society; and

Whereas,  homelessness is detrimental to the State's economy, businesses and tourism industry as well as the education, health, well-being and stability of our society; and

Whereas,  studies have demonstrated that it often costs less to house people than for the people to remain homeless and use expensive emergency services; and

Whereas,  many advocates of the homeless, councils, churches and other organizations involved with the homeless population in the State have endorsed a plan to prevent and effectively end homelessness within 4 years entitled "Maine's Plan to End & Prevent Homelessness"; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. All relevant agencies of State Government to align their budgets and efforts in concert with "Maine's Plan to End & Prevent Homelessness." Resolved: That all relevant state agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Education and the Maine State Housing Authority, shall align their budgets and efforts in concert with "Maine's Plan to End & Prevent Homelessness," as created by the Statewide Homeless Council as set out under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 5046, and affiliated organizations, and referred to in this resolve as "the plan." In carrying out the purposes of this resolve, each relevant state agency shall actively participate with the Statewide Homeless Council and the various regional homeless councils in the State to help fully implement the plan. Each relevant state agency shall focus its resources in accordance with the plan immediately and commensurate with need until homelessness is effectively ended in the State. The relevant state agencies shall work collectively with other advocates of and providers of services to the homeless and direct resources to reduce the number of people who experience homelessness by 25% per year with the goal of ending homelessness in the State within 4 years of the effective date of this resolve.

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This resolve requires all relevant state agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Education and the Maine State Housing Authority, to work with advocates and organizations serving the homeless population in the State to direct resources to eradicate homelessness in the State within 4 years.