Bruce F. Vento: “for many years prior to enactment 1987, I worked to create new Federal programs to provide assistance to homeless people…”

“for many years prior to enactment 1987, I worked to create new Federal programs to provide assistance to homeless people in shelters and living on our Nation's streets. It is the 10- year anniversary of the enactment of the McKinney Act. I was and am proud of the achievement in 1987, but I am deeply troubled that we are still here in 1997 seeking to alleviate the problems of homelessness with still growing needs. HUD's McKinney Homeless Assistance Program plays a vital role in enabling communities to develop long-term, effective solutions to homelessness. During the last 3 years, HUD has initiated an array of new policies to address the critical problem of homelessness in the United States. The main points are a coordinated community-based process of identifying needs and building a system to address those needs, and increased funding to give communities the resources needed to build the comprehensive system. However, without solid funding, as the motion to recommit would help provide--the systems will not be as strong, nor will they be able to serve the actual need.”