| On February 9, 2005, Governor Rell delivered her budget address and submitted her proposed two year budget to the Connecticut General Assembly. In Governor Rell's proposed budget there is funding for supportive housing. I am writing you now to ask you to encourage and advise our local legislators to keep supportive housing as part of the budget package. I am a citizen of Norwich. I drive around my city and I see the homeless of Norwich. I feel that something needs to be done. We need local and state elected officials like yourself to support local, regional and state housing initiatives that provide sound economic solutions to ending homelessness. The Hospitality Center in Norwich has screened over 100 homeless people this winter. Both The Community Care Team and the Economic Restructuring Committee of the Rose City Renaissance have studied this problem and have found that Supportive Housing is a viable solution to our homeless problem in Norwich. Supportive Housing is a permanent living situation usually consisting of one room efficiencies for the homeless that includes case management services. The key component is that case management services are often located on the premises. The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness has Connecticut based research results that show that supportive housing reduces homelessness, reduces health care costs, increases employment and adds to the economic development of the neighborhood. In Governor Rell's proposed budget there is funding for Supportive Housing. Federal money is available and we do not want Norwich to miss out on this opportunity. Supportive Housing will benefit the citizens, businesses, the homeless and the revitalization of downtown Norwich. Please contact our local legislators and ask them to keep Supportive Housing as part of the budget package. Thank You! Sincerely, _________________________________________________ signature _________________________________________________ print name _________________________________________________ address _________________________________________________ city, state, zip |
| Please Advise Our Legislators - KEEP FUNDING FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING |
| Mayor Arthur L. Lathrop (R) Norwich City Hall 100 Broadway, 3rd Floor Norwich, CT 06360 (860) 823-3743 (Phone) |
| Dear Mayor Lathrop, |