Bill directs panel to study causes of homelessness

BANGOR – Examining the causes of homelessness and getting state agencies and others to work toward solutions is the aim of a resolve submitted by state Rep. Michael Dunn, D-Bangor.

The resolve, passed by the Maine House of Representatives and Senate over the summer as an emergency measure, was among the issues considered last week during a breakfast meeting at the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

During the breakfast session, Dunn said he hopes his bill will result in “a more compassionate, efficient use of our state dollars.”

It directs the Statewide Homelessness Council, established in 2005 by Gov. John Baldacci, to undertake a study aimed at determining what causes homelessness – including discharge protocols now used by mental health facilities, jails and hospitals that lead to people being put out on the streets without the support services they need.

The study also will look at the rights and responsibilities of people with mental illnesses and other disorders and what impact housing and support services might have on resolving the problem.

“I think Mike’s bill may be one opportunity to make things better,” said Dennis Marble, executive director of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter.

During the breakfast, Dunn said he hoped his bill not only would raise awareness about homelessness, but compel state agencies and others to play a bigger role in solving the problem.

“I think that my role as a state legislator is to try to say, ‘OK, what’s the state’s role?’ The state should be involved. It should have a more compassionate role and a more efficient role,” he said.

“I’m not naive enough to think that this is the end-all to solve everything, but it’s a start,” Dunn added.

Nancy Fritz, state director of homeless initiatives, said the problem is one Maine takes seriously. Maine is the only state to have a cabinet-level post devoted solely to the issue.

She said during the breakfast that she is working to involve more state agencies, including some that haven’t traditionally worked on the problem of homelessness but that can be part of the solution. These include the state’s Departments of Labor, Corrections and Education.

The homelessness council is scheduled to report its findings to the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee by Jan. 15.

Dunn’s bill is LD 1371.