Executive Order  No. 447: Establishing an Executive Commission for Homeless Services Coordination

WHEREAS, it is critical that the citizens of the Commonwealth have the opportunity for access to decent, safe, and affordable housing;

WHEREAS, there are families, children, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other individuals who are homeless, despite their best efforts;

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth currently addresses their pressing needs through a number of public and private programs funded and administered by separate Executive Branch agencies within separate Secretariats;

WHEREAS, in this time of limited state resources and critical needs, it is essential to plan effectively to meet the critical need to provide housing for the homeless to the maximum extent possible in light of current fiscal constraints; and

WHEREAS, increased coordination, efficiency, and uniformity will enable the Executive to meet more effectively the critical housing needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth who are homeless;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mitt Romney, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution as Supreme Executive Magistrate, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order:

Section I. There shall be established a commission to be known as the Executive Commission for Homeless Services Coordination ("the Commission"). The Commission shall consist of fifteen ex officio members: the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services ("the Secretary"), who shall serve as the Chair of the Commission; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Administration and Finance; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Education; the Commissioner of the Department of Education; the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development; the Commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance; the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health; the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Retardation; the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health; the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services; the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services; the Commissioner of the Office of Child Care Services; the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission; and the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, or their respective designees. Members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Commission shall meet at the times and places to be determined by the Chair of the Commission.

In addition, the Secretary may appoint an advisory board comprised of individuals with specific expertise on the nature, causes, and effective solutions to homelessness to provide advice and recommendations to the Commission. Members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in fulfilling their duties subject to appropriation or allocation. Members of the advisory board shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.

Section 2. The Commission shall be responsible for taking immediate steps and developing long-term solutions that remove barriers to the coordination and effective operation of policies and programs for families and individual who are homeless. To that end, the Commission shall advise and recommend to the Governor that the member agencies and secretariats adopt, modify, amend, or repeal regulations, or enter into contracts, grants, or other such agreements where such actions are required to improve access to or delivery of services to individuals and families that are homeless.

In addition, the Commission may recommend to the Secretary that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services enter into such contracts, grants, or other agreements as may be necessary to assure coordinated action for the successful delivery of services and programs to meet the needs of individuals and families who are homeless.

Section 3. The Commission shall deliver its initial report regarding proposed improvement to access to decent, safe, affordable housing that meet the needs of families, children, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities and other individuals who are homeless to the Governor within 90 days of its first meeting, and periodically thereafter as the Chair of the Commission may determine. The Commission shall also provide to the Governor current data on the level of unmet needs, recommendations for changes in annual appropriations directed to housing of the individuals and families who are homeless, and recommendations for legislation that may be necessary to assure further progress.

Section 4. This Executive Order shall continue in effect until amended, superseded, or revoked by subsequent Executive Order.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 14th day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of the United States of America two hundred and twenty seven.

MITT ROMNEY, GOVERNOR

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH

WILLIAM FRANCIS GALVIN