HHS May Take Over Homeless Programs

Combating homelessness among the mentally ill and drug users could betransferred from the Department of Housing and Urban Development toHealthand Human Services, HUD Secretary Mel Martinez told a gathering of U.S.mayors. At a summit sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Martinezsaid moving the programs would be part of the Bush administration'sdesireto consolidate "duplicative programs." If the change involved thefederalbudget, it would have to be approved by Congress, The Washington Postreported. According to the Secretary, HUD has spent $10 billion onprogramsfor the homeless over the past 10 years, yet homelessness persists inspiteof the booming American economy.

Thanks to Dateline APA