Alabama Governor Riley Honored for Work to Prevent Homelessness

By admin - Posted on April 11th, 2008

April 10, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY – Alabama Governor Bob Riley was honored today by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness for his initiative to prevent homelessness in Alabama. Governor Riley became only the fourth governor to receive the Council’s Home for Every American Award, which was presented during a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Homeless man by a church in Birmingham, Alabama: Photo by Dystopos (CC)

Governor Riley is unable to attend the event due to a trade mission to China, but he appeared in a pre-taped video message thanking the Council for the award. Director of the Governor’s Office of Faith–Based and Community Initiatives Sydney Hoffman was in attendance and received the award on behalf of the Governor.

“I’m honored to be receiving this award,” Governor Riley said in the video message. “It’s really an honor for Alabama and recognition for the many people who are working all across our state to help the homeless. As President Bush has often said, we must rally the armies of compassion to help our fellow Americans in need.”

In 2005 Governor Riley established the Statewide Interagency Council on Homelessness with the mission of developing a plan to end chronic homelessness in Alabama. Last month, the state Council released Homelessness in Alabama: Statewide Data Report, 2007, which examines the realities of homelessness with quantitative data and personal accounts. The report has become a national model for assessing the needs of the homeless community.

“Governor Riley’s leadership is exemplary in bringing state agencies together with the private sector, especially business and faith–based organizations, to end homelessness for those who are the most vulnerable,” said Phillip Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

One of the major successes of the state Council is facilitating collaboration between state agencies and local groups to reduce duplication of services and maximize the impact of state and federal funds.

“Before we can measure outcomes and determine the impact social services are having on homelessness in Alabama, there must be a baseline” said Hoffman. “The Data Book provides that baseline. It is the first time this information has been compiled in the state.”

Source: Alabama Governor

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