HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 81

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Rick Miera

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONTINUE THE TASK FORCE STUDYING THE CHRONIC PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, approximately thirteen thousand people in New Mexico, including veterans, families with children and persons with disabilities, are homeless at any given date and time; and

     WHEREAS, it has been found that people who are chronically homeless most often suffer serious mental health and substance use disorders, sometimes identified as co-occurring disorders; and

     WHEREAS, without proper treatment and support, the chronically homeless are high users of jail, emergency room and other hospital services, causing an undue financial burden of approximately forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per person each year to local community service systems, including local governments; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is participating in a national policy academy to address the problem of chronic homelessness and how to better provide access to mainstream services to the homeless and to develop state action plans; and

     WHEREAS, the state agency on aging has unique and valuable contributions to the task force; and

     WHEREAS, a state action plan to resolve chronic homelessness in New Mexico is being created through the participation of the task force created under Senate Joint Memorial 52 and House Joint Memorial 82 of the first session of the forty-sixth legislature, which needs to complete its work;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to continue the task force on homelessness; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state agency on aging be included on the task force; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force present its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate interim legislative committee before the first session of the forty-seventh legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health.

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