[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 103 (Monday, July 31, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S8445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SERVICES FOR ENDING LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS ACT

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, as a member of the Senate Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions--HELP--Committee, I rise to express my 
support for the Services for Ending Long-Term Homelessness Act, S. 709, 
as introduced by Senator Mike DeWine.
  Many low-income housing advocates in Utah have asked me to cosponsor 
this important legislation because it establishes a grant program, run 
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 
SAMHSA, for services to end chronic homelessness. In Utah alone, there 
are approximately 1,900 chronically homeless individuals whose lives 
are in a constant state of peril because they are repeatedly homeless 
for long periods of time. They usually have one or more disabilities, 
and often cycle between homeless shelters, the streets, mental health 
facilities, emergency rooms, hospitals, and jails. The public cost for 
their continued care is extremely high, and their medical outcomes are 
generally very poor.
  I believe that ending chronic homelessness requires housing with 
supportive services, and policies which prevent high-risk individuals 
from returning to the streets. Based on several estimates, including an 
estimate published in the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental 
Health Report, it will take approximately 150,000 units of supportive 
housing and over 10 years to end long-term homelessness. S. 709 would 
authorize funding for a flexible array of services in permanent 
supportive housing, focused on helping people move toward recovery and 
self sufficiency.
  Although I support the bill and its intent, I am very concerned about 
its cost. Throughout my Senate career, I have fought hard for fiscal 
discipline. Although the cost of the bill has not been estimated by the 
Congressional Budget Office, everyone agrees that the issues and 
associated costs are complex.
  S. 709 provides accountability, has mechanisms for controlling costs, 
and mechanisms for maximizing cost savings. For example, the bill 
prioritizes accountability and cost control through a required 
competitive process. In an effort to save on overall public spending, 
the bill gives priority to applicants who serve individuals who have 
proven to be more expensive to the public health system and to law 
enforcement. Additionally, S. 709 requires that the grantee match the 
Federal funds received, and the match requirement increases over time. 
It is important to note that the amount of funding an applicant 
receives cannot rise above the rate of inflation. Finally, the bill 
ensures accountability by requiring grantees to report on their 
performance. This effort is to ensure that chronic homelessness is 
being reduced, thus reducing costly mental health and substance abuse 
problems, and increasing education and employment.
  Mr. President, I support strongly the goals of this bill and I 
believe our continued economic expansion and improving Federal budget 
will enable us to fully implement the objectives of this bill and end 
homelessness in this country forever.




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