City of Philadelphia - File #: 090523

• File #: 090523
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 6/18/2009
• In control: Committee on Legislative Oversight
• Title: Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings to examine current issues affecting veterans in the Philadelphia area and to coordinate with the Veterans' Advisory Commission and veterans' organizations to identify and implement programs to address specific needs and concerns.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Sanchez, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Reynolds Brown

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
6/18/2009	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED & REFERRED
6/18/2009	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
6/18/2009	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings to examine current issues affecting veterans in the Philadelphia area and to coordinate with the Veterans' Advisory Commission and veterans' organizations to identify and implement programs to address specific needs and concerns.
Body
WHEREAS, There are approximately 190,000 veterans in the Philadelphia area, and 12% of Pennsylvanians are veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia's Veterans' Advisory Commission was established in 1957, pursuant to City Council Resolution Number 123; and

WHEREAS, The Commission's mission is to acquaint veterans with available benefits and to assist veterans in their dealings with City departments and agencies; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania alone has over 60,000 female veterans, unfortunately many of the issues that they face are not discussed or addressed thoroughly; and

WHEREAS, Additional coordination between the Veterans' Advisory Commission, veterans' organizations, and the City could facilitate greater access to services and programs to improve the quality of life for veterans; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 30 percent of the homeless population in Philadelphia are veterans, which is higher than the national average of 23 percent. Many of these individuals live with lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse; and

WHEREAS, Nationwide only 25% of homeless veterans have received VA homeless services due to lack of funding and lack of public awareness of the programs available. In addition, 45% of homeless veterans state that the primary issue they face is finding and maintaining jobs, while 37% say their primary concern is finding and maintaining affordable housing; and

WHEREAS, A coordinated effort is needed to provide these individuals with secure housing and nutritional meals, drug and alcohol counseling, mental health counseling, employment services, and personal development; ...