* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Young
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Homelessness in Baltimore City
FOR the purpose of requesting the Baltimore City Health Commissioner and the President of Baltimore Homeless Services, Inc., to report to the City Council on the state of homelessness in Baltimore City; the number, gender, and age of the homeless population; the array of services needed by the homeless and the success of public and private service delivery agencies in meeting these needs; transitional and permanent housing inventory currently available to the homeless and plans to provide adequate and appropriate housing in future years; and inter-agency, inter-governmental, and inter-jurisdictional immediate and far-ranging plans to reverse the socio-economic factors that contribute to homelessness in Baltimore City.
Body
Recitals
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines homelessness as an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence including shelters or a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. A study published by the National Law Center on Homelessness states that, in 2007, approximately 3.5 million people, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness on any given year.
The National Coalition for the Homeless finds that, in the Unites States, people remain homeless an average of 8 months. Officials estimate that, on average, single men comprise 51 % of the homeless population, families with children 30 %, single women 17% and unaccompanied youth 2%. The homeless population is estimated to be 42% African-American, 39% white, 13% Hispanic, 4% Native American, and 2% Asian. An average of 16% of homeless people are considered mentally ill; 26% are substance abusers. Thirteen percent are employed. Requests for assisted housing by low-income families and individuals increased in 86% of the cities during the last year.
In Baltimore City, the picture of homelessness appears to have changed very little since the first census of homelessness was taken in 2003. The results of that census, organized by the Department of Housing and Community Development and funded by the Maryland Veteran's Association, the State, and Associated Black Charities, found that between 2,200 and 2,500 people were living on the streets and in emergency shelters. However, officials of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, a charity that has provided services to the poor and homeless for more than 50 years, held that the 2003 census showed that there was a more than 100% increase in the number of homeless since the early 1990s. They estimated that on any given night more than 3,000 persons were homeless in a city that had only 772 shelter beds available.
Baltimore City 2005 Census: The Picture of Homelessness, May 2005, a homeless census completed by Baltimore Homeless Services, Inc., the Center for Poverty Solutions, and other service providers, counted 2,943 individuals who were homeless in Baltimore City. The 2007 Baltimore City Homeless Census, found that there were, at a minimum, an estimated 3,002 homeless individuals in Baltimore City on January 26, 2007. The survey found that the homeless were more likely than not to be African American males; 11% were younger than 18; more than half were without a home for more than 1 year; health and housing concerns are the primary reasons for homelessness; the primary need is housing; and the number of homeless did not change appreciably between 2005 and 2007.
As stated in the Executive Summary of the 2007 Census - "the results show that despite economic progress in the city of Baltimore, homelessness remains a serious and persistent problem, with the increase in chronic homelessness especially concerning." Baltimore Homeless Services, Inc., was created to address the problems that contribute to homelessness and to make homelessness a rare and brief experience in Baltimore City by facilitating the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services and community-wide advocacy.
The City Council and the citizens of Baltimore are appalled at the inhumanity of homelessness and request an update on the effectiveness of efforts of public and private service organizations to combat its prevalence in our midst. None among us can enjoy the blessings of our great City when so many of our brothers and sisters exist each day agonizing through the pangs of real hunger and bereft of the comforts of a "forever" home.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Baltimore City Health Commissioner and the President of Baltimore Homeless Services, Inc., are requested to report to the City Council on the state of homelessness in Baltimore City; the number, gender, and age of the homeless population; the array of services needed by the homeless and the success of public and private service delivery agencies in meeting these needs; transitional and permanent housing inventory currently available to the homeless and plans to provide adequate and appropriate housing in future years; and inter-agency, inter-governmental, and inter-jurisdictional immediate and far-ranging plans to reverse the socio-economic factors that contribute to homelessness in Baltimore City.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Commissioner of Health, the President of Baltimore Homeless Services, Inc., the Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, the Executive Director of the ACLU of Maryland, the President of Healthcare for the Homeless, the President of the Tenant's Association of the HABC, the President of Associated Catholic Charities, the Director of BCDSS Homeless Services Unit, the Executive Director of the Homeless Person's Representation Project, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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