SENATE MEMORIAL 9

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Sander Rue

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING JANUARY 23, 2013 "NEW MEXICO COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, fifty-five percent of homeless New Mexicans begin their homelessness as children, never having an opportunity for a housed life; and

     WHEREAS, homelessness greatly impacts an individual's life expectancy with various studies showing the average life span of long-term homeless people at between forty-two years and fifty-two years; and

     WHEREAS, homeless New Mexicans are four times more likely to die than housed people of the same age; and

     WHEREAS, twelve percent of New Mexico's homeless residents are veterans; and

     WHEREAS, twenty-six percent of homeless people are disabled by mental illness; and

     WHEREAS, more than sixteen thousand New Mexico children are homeless; and

     WHEREAS, homelessness in New Mexico has increased by six percent in the past year; and

     WHEREAS, a study of homelessness in Albuquerque has shown that providing permanent supportive housing to homeless persons significantly reduces the time they spend in emergency rooms, homeless shelters and jails;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 23, 2013 be proclaimed "New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness Day" in the senate and that recognition be extended to the homeless shelters, homeless health care clinics, homeless housing programs and other homeless service providers that assist homeless people every day; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico coalition to end homelessness.

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