Executive Order Number Sixty-Five Creating The Interagency Council On Homelessness For The State Of Delaware
WHEREAS, the McKinney –Vento Homeless Assistance Act channels funds targeted to the diverse homeless population in Delaware through federal agencies, which administer programs for the homeless; and
WHEREAS, the programs authorized in the McKinney –Vento Homeless Assistance Act are administered by a number of state agencies and local governments and private agencies in Delaware; and
WHEREAS, state and federal support for services to the homeless is currently provided through the State of Delaware Grant-in-Aid program and several state agencies and local governments; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware State Housing Authority receive public funds for services targeted to the homeless which are carried out by private, non-profit service providers throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of administrative and service provider agencies requires a coordinated effort to provide effective services and recommend solutions to the diverse needs of the homeless in Delaware.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RUTH ANN MINNER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby declare and order the following:
1. The Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness (the “Council”) is hereby established.
2. The Council shall be composed of persons charged with the management of programs mandated and authorized by the McKinney –Vento Homeless Assistance Act in Delaware and persons currently charged with the management of other public funds targeted to services for the homeless in Delaware. The Council shall include representatives from appropriate administering entities within the following departments or agencies:
a. The Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority;
b. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services;
c. The Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families;
d. The Secretary of the Department of Labor;
e. The Secretary of the Department of Education;
f. The Commissioner of the Department of Correction;
g. The Chairs of the Senate Community/County Affairs Committee and the House of Representatives Housing and Community Affairs Committee;
h. The Mayor of the City of Wilmington or the Mayor’s designee;
i. The County Executive of New Castle County or the Executive’s designee;
j. The Mayor of the City of Dover or the Mayor’s designee;
k. A person who is homeless or formerly homeless;
l. Three representatives from emergency housing and/or service providers, at least one of whom will represent the Homeless Planning Council; and
m. A representative of the Delaware Apartment Association.
3. Members of the Council, except those serving pursuant to paragraph 2g, 2h, 2i, and 2j above, shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at the Governor’s pleasure. The Cabinet-level officials identified in paragraph 2 may be represented by designees, as necessary. The Governor shall designate a member or members to serve as Chairperson or Co-Chairs of the Council. The Council Chair(s) shall be individual(s) appointed by the Governor and shall serve at her pleasure.
4. The duties of the Council shall be:
a. to adopt and oversee the implementation of a plan to reduce homelessness and end chronic homelessness in Delaware;
b. to review data, activities and programs in the State of Delaware that provide housing services to the homeless;
c. to use the Homeless Management Information System and other non-duplicative methods of collecting such information for analyses;
d. to effectively coordinate and maximize resources of existing programs and activities to prevent homelessness and to assist homeless individuals and families;
e. to identify impediments, including any statutory and regulatory restrictions, to the effective provision of needed services to homeless persons in Delaware;
f. to recommend such changes in existing programs and services, expansion of existing programs and services, and additional programs and services as may be necessary to address the diverse causes and conditions of homelessness; and
g. to ensure positive results and accountability of existing and new efforts and programs by shifting from funding programs to investing in solutions.
5. The Council may establish ad hoc committees as may be necessary and practicable to carry out the aforementioned duties.
6. Staffing for the Council shall be undertaken or coordinated by the Delaware State Housing Authority. The Council shall seek information and advice from service providers and research organizations as may be necessary and practicable to carry out the aforementioned duties.
Approved: March 8, 2005
