Esta ley declara la semana del Día de Acción de Gracias como la "Semana de Solidaridad, Rehabilitación, Reintegración y Autogestión de las Personas sin Hogar en Puerto Rico". Establece la necesidad de esfuerzos coordinados entre el gobierno central, los municipios y organizaciones sin fines de lucro para abordar las necesidades de esta población, incluyendo servicios de salud, vivienda, empleo, educación y actividades de socialización. También autoriza la solicitud y gestión de fondos públicos y privados para estos fines.
(N.o. 2) (Approved January 7, 2004)
To declare the week of Thanksgiving Day, in November of each year, as the "Week of Solidarity, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Self-Management of Homeless People in Puerto Rico."
It is currently estimated that in Puerto Rico there are about 30,000 homeless people, of different ages, family groups and sex. Their average age is 34.2 years. However, $23 %$ of all homeless are under eighteen (18) years of age. Two thirds are forty-four (44) years of age or less. The largest group of homeless is between the ages of 25 and 54 years (37%). A large majority of homeless people are men, although there is a considerable quantity of women. The average age among men is 39 , while for women it is 24 .
With regard to people over 45 years old, the statistics are as follows: from 45 to 54 years old, $13 %$;
b) from 55 to 64 years old, $8 %$; and c) from 65 years old onwards, $10 %$. That is to say, there is a considerable group of people of advanced age who are homeless.
As we can see, the vagrancy problem does not discriminate on the basis of social condition, sex or age. There is a considerable number of youth and people of advanced age who are homeless, which makes it imperative for those agencies specialized in matters concerning these population sectors to participate.
In a study performed in 1999 in Puerto Rico, with a sample of 3,191 homeless people, it was revealed that $89 %$ percent of these are alone and $11 %$ have a family
member. Among the most notable statistics one can mention are the following:
a) income: $78 %$ do not work, $15 %$ have never worked, $6 %$ work and $1 %$ have not answered;
b) reasons for their condition: $36 %$ drug abuse, $33 %$ family problems, $12 %$ economic problems, $11 %$ have no family, $7 %$ medical reasons, $9 %$ do not own a home.
From the paragraph above, it is apparent that homeless people who are jobless suffer economic situations which lead them to a state of poverty, in addition to lacking their own house, among other problems. Some of these people come from communities where there is a high percentage of illiteracy and school desertion, a high percentage of people under the poverty level, a high unemployment rate and a high rate of use and abuse of controlled substances.
On the other hand, many homeless people suffer from mental health conditions. Some have received medical attention. However, the study shows that $66 %$ indicated that transportation was one of the obstacles to receiving mental health services.
The above-mentioned study clearly shows that many homeless people spend most of their time alone, lacking any opportunity for conversation, communication and interaction with other people, nor do they enjoy moments of relaxation, recreation and artistic and cultural activities leading to socialization.
We understand that it is necessary for the different municipal administrations to participate in coordinated government efforts to address the needs of homeless people. That is to say, the absolute responsibility to apply efforts and provide services must not fall on the Central Government, particularly when these people's needs may vary by geographic area, as well as by the priority of their needs. This leads us to determine the necessity of municipal participation, to giving life to the purposes of this bill as well as that of the Municipal Affairs Commissioner, the Association of Puerto Rican Mayors and the Federation of Puerto Rican Mayors.
Although in many instances, government efforts respond to on-going problems, the importance of developing preventative efforts in order to avoid the possible occurrence of a potentially specific or on-going problem is no less true. For this reason, we understand that the Committee for the Implementation of Public Policy for the Homeless in addition to developing the methodology through which the efforts of the Central Government, Municipal Governments, private sector, research centers and of those non-profit entities that address this human and social problem to cover the needs of homeless people, must have responsibility over the design and implementation of a program for the prevention, orientation, education and support aimed at preventing people from becoming homeless, identifying and intervening in factors that generate such condition, detecting and intervening in early stages of the condition and addressing the effects of the same, with the organization, coordination and implementation of orientation and awareness activities for the citizenry about the problems of the homeless and their contribution to providing a solution for the same. Further, organizing and holding activities aimed at identifying the needs of homeless people, giving orientation about the problems so that they get motivated for rehabilitation and to fully reintegrate to daily life and reach self-sufficiency. It is a preventive effort, an effort of solidarity with people who are in a delicate condition or situation.
On the other hand, it is important to mention that economic reasons cannot justify government inaction in offering services to homeless people and, much less, to assume responsibilities such as those proposed by the current legislation. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, there are millions of dollars annually available to help homeless people. For instance, in 2001, there was over $ 24,000,000.00 available to serve the homeless in Puerto Rico. Of this, only $ 6,552,377.00 was used. So, in the year 2001, about 17.5 million dollars in federal funds destined to Puerto Rico for services for homeless people were lost. Presently, in the year 2002, federal
funds available under the McKinney-Vento Act reached $24,721,164.00. As we can see, federal funds for providing services to homeless people in Puerto Rico exist, what must be done is to identify them and request them.
The objective or purpose sought by this Act shall not limit or prevent the performance of activities with similar purposes, or with the purpose of complying with the public policy developed by virtue of Act No. 250 of August 18, 1998, as amended, on different dates than provided in Section 1 of this Act. Throughout the year, integrated and coordinated efforts must be made, whether inter-agency or multi-sectorial, to address the needs of homeless people and to obtain their rehabilitation and self-sufficiency. However, it is not less true that one must start in some way, at sometime, that is to say, on some date. For such reason, the celebration of Thanksgiving appears to be an opportune moment for all people in general, other than being thankful for their individual lives and achievements attained, to offer their solidarity, support, and collaboration to those people who are in situations of social disadvantage. It is important that homeless people, who suffer loneliness and low self-esteem, feel that they are important, that they are useful to society and that society needs them. It is important that homeless people do not feel abandoned by society, the Government, or the Almighty.
Section 1.- The week of Thanksgiving Day, in November of each year, is hereby declared the "Week of Solidarity, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and SelfDetermination of Vagrant People in Puerto Rico."
Section 2.- The Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall issue, at least ten (10) days before the beginning of this Week, a proclamation to that effect, with the purpose of exhorting the Puerto Rican people, government agencies and municipalities, and the private sector, including educational institutions, to
participate, cooperate and join in the activities that are organized to comply with the objectives of this Act.
Section 3.- All public entities, agencies and instrumentalities of the Puerto Rican Government, including municipalities, shall adopt the measures necessary in order to comply with the objectives of this Act, through the organization of activities to be held for the citizenry's orientation and awareness about the problems of the homeless and their own contribution toward providing a solution to the same. Further, they shall organize and carry out activities aimed at identifying the needs of the homeless and guide them regarding this problem so as to motivate them toward rehabilitation and to obtain their full reintegration to daily life, achieving their self-sufficiency.
It befalls upon the Committee for the Implementation of Public Policy for the Homeless, created by Act No. 250 of August 18, 1998, as amended, upon the Office of the Municipal Affairs Commissioner, upon the Puerto Rican Association of Mayors and upon the Federation of Puerto Rican Mayors, to organize, coordinate and implement the activities referred to in the previous paragraph, as well as to coordinate fiscal, human, and material resources, and installations, among others, with the different government agencies and non-profit organizations, specially those rendering services to the homeless in Puerto Rico.
Further, said activities must provide the homeless with moments of solace, recreation and artistic and cultural activities that promote socialization, as well as allow the artistic abilities of the homeless to reach their potential, channeling their paintings, craftsmanship and other artistic productions towards the market.
Additionally, said activities must provide the homeless with the opportunity to receive information about housing, health (physical and emotional, nutrition), work, safety, civil rights protection and education services, as well as referrals, as well as referrals to other agencies, non-profit corporations and/or service
installations of another nature. Also, barber, personal hygiene and clothing services must be provided, as well as transportation to transport the homeless to places designated for the performance of the activities.
Section 4.- The Committee for the Implementation of Public Policy for the Homeless, as well as the different government and municipal organizations are hereby authorized to request, accept and manage public, state, municipal and/or federal funds exclusively appropriated to comply with the purposes of this Act. Further, they may request, accept and manage funds originating from subsidies and donations from private entities to be used exclusively to comply with the purposes of this Act.
Section 5.- The objective or purpose sought by this Act shall not limit nor prevent activities with similar ends from being carried out, or with the purpose of complying with the public policy developed pursuant to Act No. 250 of August 18, 1998, as amended, on dates different from that established in Section 1 of this Act.
Section 6.- The activities described in this Act must be carried out in the different geographic areas of Puerto Rico, simultaneously, covering the eight (8) Senate Districts.
Section 7.- The Committee for the Implementation of Public Policy for the Homeless shall include a specific section or chapter making reference to the activities carried out following the present Act and the achievements attained thereof as part of the annual progress and achievements report required by paragraph
(d) of Section 5, of Act No. 250, of August 18, 1998. It shall also indicate, by Senate District, the amount of participation of homeless people, state agencies, municipal administrations, private sector and non-profit organizations, as well as suggestions and recommendations for activities of the week provided in this Act for the next year.
Section 8.- The funds necessary for complying with the purposes of this Act shall be identified, petitioned and consigned in the General Expense Budget of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as of Fiscal Year 2004-2005, and subsequent years, specifically in the one in which each one of the government agencies or entities is assigned for such purposes exclusively, and specially in the budget appropriated to the Committee for the Implementation of Public Policy for the Homeless.
Section 9.- This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 2 (S.B. 1765) of the $6^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to declare the week of Thanksgiving Day, in November of each year, as the "Week of Solidarity, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Self-Management of Homeless People in Puerto Rico", has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $4^{ ext {th }}$ of April of 2005.
Luis E. Fusté-Lacourt Director