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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 11301. Findings and purpose
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that -
(1) the Nation faces an immediate and unprecedented crisis due
to the lack of shelter for a growing number of individuals and
families, including elderly persons, handicapped persons,
families with children, Native Americans, and veterans;
(2) the problem of homelessness has become more severe and, in
the absence of more effective efforts, is expected to become
dramatically worse, endangering the lives and safety of the
homeless;
(3) the causes of homelessness are many and complex, and
homeless individuals have diverse needs;
(4) there is no single, simple solution to the problem of
homelessness because of the different subpopulations of the
homeless, the different causes of and reasons for homelessness,
and the different needs of homeless individuals;
(5) due to the record increase in homelessness, States, units
of local government, and private voluntary organizations have
been unable to meet the basic human needs of all the homeless
and, in the absence of greater Federal assistance, will be unable
to protect the lives and safety of all the homeless in need of
assistance; and
(6) the Federal Government has a clear responsibility and an
existing capacity to fulfill a more effective and responsible
role to meet the basic human needs and to engender respect for
the human dignity of the homeless.
(b) Purpose
It is the purpose of this chapter -
(1) to establish an Interagency Council on the Homeless;
(2) to use public resources and programs in a more coordinated
manner to meet the critically urgent needs of the homeless of the
Nation; and
(3) to provide funds for programs to assist the homeless, with
special emphasis on elderly persons, handicapped persons,
families with children, Native Americans, and veterans.
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