Gov. Scott Walker proposes initiatives to address homelessness
Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget offers a series of initiatives to address homelessness in the state, with advocates applauding the moves and calling on the state to do more.
Among other things, the budget would help homeless individuals prepare for jobs; test a program to use housing vouchers for the chronically homeless; expand a program to help mentally ill inmates after they’re released from prison; allow the use of state grants to support homelessness prevention and immediate, permanent housing followed by a tailored set of assistance known as “rapid rehousing”; and create a homeless services coordinator to seek a federal waiver allowing the state to use Medicaid for case management services and housing transition.
“We’re very pleased,” said Joseph Volk, executive director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Homelessness. “This is the first time in 25 years there’s been anything in the state budget regarding homelessness and increased resources. This is a huge step forward.”
Hopes for increased attention to homelessness rose through 2016 as Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch made the issue a priority and the coalition offered specific policy and budget recommendations. The recommendations echoed problems raised by the Wisconsin State Journal in a four-part series on homelessness last year.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/gov-scott-walker-proposes-initiatives-to-address-homelessness/article_3f0797c2-2dbb-526d-b6b2-9d3bab7651cf.html
[font color=330099]This could be one of the progressive initiatives to come from the governor's office. Hopefully it will be successful and alleviate some of the problems faced by the homeless.[/font]
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