Policy & Legislation
Homelessness Coalition Retains PROMISE as Its 2008 Priority
The Homes to End Homelessness Coalition met December 4, 2007, during Housing California’s Creating Community 2007: Working Together to End Homelessness conference. The Coalition identified its 2008 legislative priority and created 2008 action plans for its recently-formed regional teams.
As its 2008 legislative priority, the Coalition decided to focus on PROMISE (Program for Returning Offenders with Mental Illness Safely and Effectively). In 2007, the Coalition successfully advocated for the inclusion of $4 million for PROMISE within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) 2007-2008 budget. PROMISE provides homes with supportive services for mentally ill parolees exiting the state prison system. While securing the $4 million was a major success, the Governor vetoed the bill directing CDCR to spend the money as the Coalition envisioned (Senator Darrell Steinberg’s SB 851).
In 2008, the Coalition will focus on three goals associated with PROMISE:
1. Proper implementation of the current $4 million in CDCR’s budget.
2. Ensuring the $4 million appropriation is included in the 2008-09 CDCR budget.
3. Passage of the reintroduced version of SB 851. The bill will again be authored by Senator Steinberg.
To support these goals, the Coalition's regional teams will carry out their 2008 action plans, which include developing an effective organizational structure. Please visit the Homes to End Homelessness Coalition webpage or contact Zack Olmstead to learn how you can join the Coalition and connect with your regional team.
TAKE ACTION: Sign on to the Coalition's letter! The Coalition is sending a letter to CDCR asking them to use the $4 million for homes with supportive services.
- Deadline: Please contact Zack Olmstead (see below) by January 4, 2008, to sign-on.
Contact: Zack Olmstead, (916) 447-0503 x 108 or .
