July 17, 2008

MAYOR DAVLIN AFFIRMS PARTNERSHIP ON HOMELESSNESS

Mayor Tim Davlin today affirmed a partnership with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness by supporting America's Road Home initiative. The statement of principles and actions outlines critical initiatives which are essential to advancing progress in the fight to reduce and eliminate chronic homelessness. Davlin was joined by Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

“We have been working very hard at reducing the problem of chronic homelessness in Springfield by partnering with key groups and organizations that have been making a significant difference,” Davlin said. “While these efforts have not always been in the public eye, they have been extremely effective at placing individuals in more permanent living situations and getting individuals the assistance they need to move forward with their lives.”

“I can’t say enough about the organizations that have stepped up to the plate and helped us identify solutions to individual circumstances so that we could help those who need it most. Through effective working relationships that the city has developed with these organizations, we have made tremendous progress toward reducing chronic homelessness. While we are encouraged with the overall trends, we recognize the need to continue to develop strategies aimed at the most vulnerable individuals among our homeless citizens.”

“There is much more to be done. That is why we are joining hundreds of other communities in agreeing to these statements of principles and action. By using them as guides, we will be better able to be even more effective in helping homeless individuals in the future,” Davlin added.

America's Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions was developed in partnership with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. More than 335 county officials and mayors are signatories to America's Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions.

These principles include:

• End the homelessness of our most vulnerable and disabled citizens who reside on our streets and in our shelters, those experiencing chronic homelessness, especially including homeless veterans;

• With the support of our partners work to shorten the time any person is homeless;

• Accept jurisdictional responsibility for accountability and results in the broader partnership that includes other levels of government and the private sector for an issue that is visible, expensive, and unacceptable in our communities;

• Affirm our jurisdictionally-led, community- based 10 Year Plan as the community's primary planning strategy to effect accountability and results in ending and preventing homelessness; and

• Develop these plans to ensure that the measurable outcomes are sustainable and render lasting solutions to homelessness.

The City of Springfield in partnership with the U. S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is committed to preventing and ending chronic homelessness in our City through a partnership of accountability and results. We are on the front lines of the response to chronic homelessness. Ending chronic homelessness requires a partnership with all levels of government, the private sector, and all other community stakeholders. As a result of this partnership with Springfield, other elected representatives, the private sector, and all other stakeholders, we have joined the more than 335 counties and cities that have already committed themselves to create and implement jurisdictionally- led, community-based, business-oriented 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness.

Davlin was joined by representatives of a number of community organizations that are committed to finding a solution to the problem of chronic homelessness. They were representatives from the Salvation Army, Fifth Street Renaissance-SARA Center, the Heartland Continuum of Care, Homeless United for Change, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Washington Street Mission, United Way of Central Illinois, Mental Health Center of Central Illinois, Helping Hands Shelter, Abundant Faith Supportive Services, Springfield Housing Authority and St. John’s Hospital.

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