Executive Order
03-17

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri recognizes that every Missouri citizen has the right to live in a safe, decent and affordable home; and

WHEREAS, the number of Missourians experiencing homelessness continues to increase; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri recognizes that any Missourian experiencing homelessness is unacceptable; and

WHEREAS, federal McKinney-Vento Act monies to develop housing programs to alleviate homelessness are available contingent upon the development of a State Plan, per 42 USC 11362, which provides: "housing programs must be evaluated on the basis of their effectiveness in reducing homelessness, transitioning individuals to permanent housing and self-sufficiency, and creating an adequate plan to discharge homeless persons to and from mainstream service systems"; and

WHEREAS, a state plan to address the causes of homelessness in Missouri is needed; and

WHEREAS, all Missourians will benefit from the formulation of a State Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Holden, Governor of the State of Missouri, by the power vested in me by the Laws and Constitution of the State of Missouri, do hereby order and direct the creation of the Governor's Committee to End Chronic Homelessness.

The purpose of the Governor's Committee to End Chronic Homelessness is to develop a plan that will establish strategies to promote public and private coordination and collaboration, evaluate and reallocate resources, remove barriers to access of housing and services, and promote and support activities that prevent homelessness. The Governor's Committee to End Homelessness will work with the other Continuum of Care committees in the state to integrate and coordinate their local plans with the State Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.

The Governor's Committee to End Homelessness shall be composed of no more than 20 members appointed by the Governor. Membership shall include at least two members of the General Assembly, one from each political party, and at least one representative from each of the following state agencies: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Health, Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Economic Development, Division of Youth Services, Division of Workforce Development, Missouri Housing Development Commission and Department of Social Services. The committee shall also include other representatives who are familiar with the challenges of the homeless; including representatives of the faith based community, community action agencies, non-profit organizations, and local and/or federal governmental agencies.

The members of the Governor's Committee to End Chronic Homelessness shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, and shall serve without compensation, except that members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses arising from the Committee's activities or business. Such expenses shall be paid by the Department that incurs the expense.

The Governor's Committee to End Homelessness shall make an annual report of recommendations and strategies for implementing such recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tern of the Senate. Such report shall be submitted by November 1st of each year beginning in 2004. The Committee may submit such interim reports as are necessary to keep the public informed of its progress.

The Governor's Committee to End Chronic Homelessness shall convene no later than November 3, 2003.

This Executive Order shall expire on December 31, 2012, unless reauthorized for by a later Executive Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson on this 8th day of October, 2003.

[Bob Holden's signature]
Bob Holden
Governor

ATTEST:

[Matt Blunt's signature]
Matt Blunt
Secretary of State

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