H.J.R. 9 Enrolled

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO
END HOMELESSNESS
2004 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: David Clark

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This joint resolution of the Legislature expresses support for President Bush's Samaritan
Initiative and recognizes the need for efforts to end homelessness in the state of Utah.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. expresses support for President Bush's Samaritan Initiative to end chronic
homelessness;
. recognizes that funding for the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund and the Olene
Walker Housing Trust Fund is critical to efforts to end homelessness; and
. expresses support for the State Homeless Coordinating Committee and its efforts to
facilitate interagency collaboration to end homelessness.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, on any given night between 2,500 and 4,300 people in Utah experience
homelessness;
WHEREAS, these homeless families and individuals are forced to live in homeless
shelters, domestic violence shelters, under viaducts, in their cars, along rivers, in the woods and
in caves, or doubled up involuntarily in others' homes;
WHEREAS, over the course of the 2001-02 school year, 8,500 school-aged children in
Utah experienced homelessness;

WHEREAS, approximately 250 to 430 of Utah's homeless are chronically homeless,
meaning that they are individuals who have been homeless for at least a year and have a disabling
physical condition or mental illness;
WHEREAS, 35% of homeless people work but do not earn enough to afford housing,
child care, and transportation;
WHEREAS, 16% of Utah's homeless are veterans;
WHEREAS, well-documented and effective solutions to end chronic homelessness exist
and could be implemented in Utah with adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, President Bush has launched an initiative, referred to as the Samaritan
Initiative, to end chronic homelessness:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
expresses support for President Bush's initiative to end chronic homelessness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes that ending chronic
homelessness is only a first step and supports efforts to end homelessness for families and
individuals who are temporarily homeless.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes that funding for the
Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund and the Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund is critical to
meet the goal of ending all homelessness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports the State Homeless
Coordinating Committee and its efforts to facilitate interagency collaboration to end
homelessness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the State
Homeless Coordinating Committee and to President George W. Bush.

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