H 3311 Concurrent Resolution, By Gilliard and Mack
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO URGE OUR FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,
 ALONG WITH CHURCHES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, TO STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS TO
 ASSIST THE HOMELESS IN LIGHT OF THE NATION'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, ADVERSE
 WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND AN INCREASE IN THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

   01/13/11  House  Introduced (House Journal-page 217)
   01/13/11  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions (House Journal-page 217)
   01/26/11  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions (House Journal-page 5)
   01/27/11  House  Adopted, sent to Senate (House Journal-page 39)
   01/27/11  Senate Introduced (Senate Journal-page 20)
   01/27/11  Senate Referred to Committee on General
                     (Senate Journal-page 20)

COMMITTEE REPORT

January 26, 2011

H. 3311

S. Printed 1/26/11--H.

Read the first time January 13, 2011.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3311) to urge our federal, state, and local governments, along with churches and neighborhood associations, to step up their efforts to assist the homeless in light of the nation's economic, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

LISTON D. BARFIELD for Committee.

TO URGE OUR FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ALONG WITH CHURCHES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, TO STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS IN LIGHT OF THE NATION'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND AN INCREASE IN THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

Whereas, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty approximates that, annually, between 2.3 and 3.5 million people experience homelessness in the United States. Although homelessness is difficult to measure definitively, it appears that more people, especially families, are sleeping in shelters, living in their cars, and taking up residence in tent communities; and

Whereas, according to estimates by The National Alliance to End Homelessness, the current recession will force 1.5 million more people into homelessness between 2009 and 2011; and

Whereas, the present cold winter weather only exacerbates the problems of the homeless, threatening the lives of many; and

Whereas, in South Carolina alone, more than seven thousand people are homeless on any given night, but estimates put the total number of beds available in homeless shelters across the State at only two thousand one hundred; and

Whereas, it is critical for us as compassionate Americans and South Carolinians to work toward increased emergency relief, as well as toward the elimination of causes, for those suffering from the serious problem of homelessness. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, urge our federal, state, and local governments, along with churches and neighborhood associations, to step up their efforts to assist the homeless in light of the nation's economic downturn, adverse weather conditions, and an increase in the homeless population.