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The
Committee expects the primary activity of the ICH to be the development
of a comprehensive Federal approach to end homelessness. The Committee
understands that homelessness is affected by factors that cut across
Federal agencies, including housing costs, job readiness, education,
substance abuse and mental health.
-from Senate Report accompanying FY '03 Appropriations bill
Excerpts
from the speeches of Philip Mangano, Executive Director
"We
can no longer tolerate the homelessness of so many of our neighbors.
Our commitment is to fulfill the promise of a home for every American.
"That
effort will begin with an initiative directed to remedy homelessness
for those who are disabled living on the streets and in encampments
across our country. We cannot acknowledge their plight, and then
do nothing to remedy their situation."
"Our
strategy begins in the White House and extends to the street
in collaboration with state and local government, homeless and mainstream
providers and advocates, and homeless people themselves.
"Our
intent is to include everyone in the response - government, community
and faith based organizations, businesses, consumers - to insure
that no one is left behind."
"We
seek visible, measurable, quantifiable change on our community's
streets, within our homeless programs, and, most especially, in
the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.
"We
are not content to manage the crisis, or to maintenance the effort,
or to accommodate the response. We were called to one goal, one
objective, one mission - to abolish homelessness. Now is the time
to forward the advocacy, fashion the strategy, and to fulfill that
mission."
"On
the issue of homelessness, partnership trumps partisanship. There
is no D or R or I or G on this issue. We are all Americans working
together to end a social disgrace."
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