Executive Order 126 Establishes
Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness
Governor Corzine and Phillip Mangano
More than 200 people filled the Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare Adult Services facility in Trenton on Wednesday November 26, 2008, when Governor Jon Corzine signed Executive Order 126 to establish the Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness. Click here to read Executive Order 126. Click here to hear the full audio and click here to view the more than seventy-one (71) photos.
“Ask homeless people themselves what they want, they’re clear. No pill, no program, no protocol, give us a place to live and watch what happens, that’s what’s happening all over our country,” stated Phillip Mangano.
Among the speakers at the event were Governor Jon Corzine, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs Joe Doria, Commissioner of Human Services Jennifer Velez, John Monohan of Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare and Phillip Mangano of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness. All of the speakers highlighted the proximity of the event being on the day before Thanksgiving.
“The cascade of job loss, unpaid bills and mortgage foreclosures resulting from our national economic downturn has increased the number of people susceptible to homelessness,” said Governor Corzine. “My expectation is that this new Council will address the many underlying causes of homelessness as well as direct assistance needed for this vulnerable population.
Governor Corzine signs Executive Order 126
“We must be able to devise remedies that help individuals and families remain in their homes or, if homeless, aid their return to housing. Now more than ever, it is incumbent upon all of us in public service to address this extremely difficult problem head-on.”
Phillip Phillip Mangano is the Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. He congratulated the state Wednesday on joining a national partnership of fifty three other states and territories committed to ending homelessness.
“Ask homeless people themselves what they want, they’re clear. No pill, no program, no protocol, give us a place to live and watch what happens, that’s what’s happening all over our country,” stated Mr. Mangano.
He noted the innovation and creativity that already exists in New Jersey and predicted that “the task of the Council will be easy in New Jersey because of its many strengths.”
“Governor Corzine recognizes that New Jersey residents need and deserve a place to live,” said DCA Commissioner Joe Doria. “The establishment of this Council by the Governor is a critical step in examining and combating the problem of homelessness in the state.”
“Government has a responsibility to ensure that we’re advancing a comprehensive, collaborative approach to combat poverty and homelessness in New Jersey – including prevention. The approach outlined by the Governor in this Executive Order is really the right strategy to combat an otherwise fragmented problem,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “We all have a stake in this – and the inclusion of non-profit provider representatives is critical to provide systemic solutions and lasting change.”
The Council is charged with providing recommendations to the Governor for preventing and reducing homelessness, ending chronic homelessness, and improving services to individuals and families who lose their housing. The Council will also have the ability to evaluate programs as well as recommend changes to laws, programs and policies designed to end homelessness and to assist homeless families and individuals. These efforts are meant to assist state residents to better access safe, decent and affordable housing with comprehensive services that promote self-sufficiency and well-being.
Members of the Council will include the Commissioners of the Departments of Children and Families, Community Affairs, Corrections, Education, Health and Senior Services, Human Services, Labor and Workforce Development as well as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Chairman of the State Parole Board, the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,. In addition, there will be 14 public members appointed by the Governor who represent a diverse group of stakeholders involved with the issue of homelessness. The Commissioners of the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Human Services will act as co-chairs of the Council.
