Executive Order 2004-13 Establishing the Governor's Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness
WHEREAS, an estimated 30,000 people experience homelessness each year in the State of Arizona and of that total, families comprise approximately 30% of the homeless population; and WHEREAS, an estimated 10 percent of the homeless population has been homeless for longer than one year, many homeless individuals and families have been are turned away from homeless and domestic violence shelters due to a lack of capacity, and many have experienced repeated incidents of homelessness over the past three years; and WHEREAS, multiple state agencies bear the responsibility of serving the homeless and those who are at risk of homelessness; and WHEREAS, ending homelessness requires collaboration among state agencies, local governments, the private sector and service provider networks to coordinate program development, deliver essential services and provide housing; and WHEREAS, ending or reducing homelessness contributes to economic development and improves the overall quality of life within our communities; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet Napolitano, Governor of the State of Arizona, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this State, hereby order and direct as follows: 1. The Governor's Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness (the "Council") is created to develop and implement a plan to prevent and end homelessness in the State of Arizona. 2. The Council shall be chaired by the Governor of the State of Arizona, and in his/her absence, co-chaired by the Directors of the Department of Economic Security and the Department of Housing, each of whom shall have the power to convene the Council. 3. The Council shall be comprised of the following eighteen (18) members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, and serve, without compensation, at the pleasure of the Governor: ? ? ? ? ? Director, Department of Economic Security; Director, Department of Housing; Director, Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families; Director, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System; Director, Department of Health Services
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Director, Arizona Department of Corrections; Director, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections; Director, Arizona Department of Commerce; Director, Arizona Department of Veterans' Services; Director, the Office of the Courts; Director, Government Information Technology Agency; The Arizona School Superintendent (or his/her designee); and Six members of the public.
4. Members of the Council shall attend meetings and vote in person. 5. The Council shall serve as a statewide homelessness planning and policy development resource for the Governor and the State of Arizona, and shall: ? Develop a plan to prevent and end homelessness in Arizona including evidence-based improvements to programs and policies that will ensure services and housing are provided in an efficient, cost-effective, and productive manner. Develop recommendations to: 1) expand and maximize housing resources as central to all efforts to end homelessness; 2) increase access to mainstream state and federal social service resources such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Social Security Income (SSI) and veteran benefits; 3) expand and maximize service resources such as mental health and substance abuse services; 4) improve cross system policies and procedures through system integration, streamlined application and eligibility processes, and improved outreach; 5) ensure persons in state institutions have access to services that will help prevent homelessness upon their discharge. ? ? Develop a strategy to implement the plan and to recommend resource, policy and regulatory changes necessary to accomplish the goals of the plan; Recommend and assist in developing partnerships with private entities, including corporate, philanthropic and faith and community-based organizations, as well as the federal and local government, to obtain involvement and support to achieve the goals of the plan; Monitor and oversee the implementation of the plan to ensure accountability and consistent results;
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Identify and maximize the leveraging of resources to improve the system of services for people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless; and Meet with the Governor to discuss and consider the Council's recommendations.
6. The Council shall be supported by a work group to assist it in its duties and make recommendations about its work. The work group shall report its activities and recommendations to the Council. The work group may be comprised of state agency staff, representatives of the state's continuum of care organizations, a statewide homeless advocacy group, and other public and private entities as determined by the Council. The work group shall also assist the Council in reaching out to local communities regarding the state's plant to prevent and end homelessness. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona.
GOVERNOR DONE in Phoenix on this 5th day of June in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and four and of the independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Twenty-Eighth. ATTEST
Secretary of State
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