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Housing Action Alert
Take Action to Put $3.9 Million Additional in the Budget for Supportive Housing
Kathy Kregor - Legislative Advocacy Network
Issue
The State of Illinois' fiscal year 2008 budget needs $3.9 million additional funding to provide services for 30 supportive housing projects across the state serving over 900 people who are homeless and/or have mental illness.
Background
Supportive housing works because
• it ends the expensive cycle of homelessness,
• helps people with mental illness, giving both independence and support,
• helps people who are clean and sober stay that way, and
• allows those who are able to secure jobs and rejoin the tax rolls.
Supportive housing costs the state less per person per year than Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs), state mental health facilities, or prison. IMDs cost over $24,634 per person annually. The average cost per prisoner per year in Illinois in 2005 was $21,622. The average cost per person annually to the state for supportive housing services is $4,709.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching challenges us to make the needs of the poor a priority in our society. These funds provide housing for homeless people requiring supportive services.
Action needed : Letters to the Governor asking him to include the increase in funding in his budget proposal. Governor Blagojevich will release his fiscal year 2008 budget proposal on February 21. The final budget should be approved by the General Assembly by May 31. Letters are needed by January 15 th. A sample letter is below followed by a link with contact information for the Governor to send in the mail or by email.
Dear Governor Blagojevich,
With this letter, I respectfully request that you include an additional $3.9 million in the FY 2008 Illinois Budget for supportive housing services. This will give over 900 men, women, and children
• who have been homeless,
• who have mental illness,
• who have chronic, debilitating illness, such as HIV/AIDS, and/or
• who have been incarcerated
a decent, affordable home with the support services that will allow them to stay in that home and take the positive next steps in their lives.
Supportive housing costs the state less than alternatives, such as homelessness or institutionalization, both in human lives and in dollars and sense.
Sincerely, |
Information from HousingMatters.net
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