August 26, 2003 

(Chicago) - Ending homelessness in Illinois was the centerpiece of discussion on Chicago's West Side this morning.

U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky participated in the discussion, held at Debra's Place, a shelter catering to homeless women.

Representative Schakowsky admonished the audience to become more politically active, saying that one of the greatest dangers to continued federal funding of social programs is the Bush White House.

Se says it is trying to dismantle as many programs as possible. She says the Bush Administration can't be reformed, it has to be defeated at the polls.

Congressman Davis is urging those fighting to end homelessness that they consider making homeless veterans and ex-offenders part of their planning. Davis is supporting federal legislation that, if passed, would allow the development of 100-thousand units of SRO (Single Room Occupancy) type-housing nationwide for ex-offenders.

Under the proposal, each state would get an allocation based upon the number of ex-offenders in the state.

Davis says the urgency of the bill is so great because 30-thousand people return home from jail each year in Illinois and almost half of them return to his district.