February 16, 2005
The Honorable Robert E. Travaglini
Senate President
State House, Room 330
Boston , MA 02133
Dear President Travaglini:
United Housing is a cross-disability coalition made up of more than 30 organizations and agencies, representing over 100,000 individuals across the Commonwealth, working to ensure that people with disabilities can obtain affordable and accessible housing.
We are writing to you to express our concern with the recent committee reorganization for the 2005-2006 General Court session. As you are aware, the reorganization plan eliminates the former Joint Committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs, dividing jurisdiction over its issues among three new committees: Children and Families, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Elder Services.
We recognize that legislative reorganization is necessary to address the changing priorities of the Commonwealth. However, the absence of a single committee to deal with all disability issues is concerning. Persons with disabilities share common concerns and challenges, regardless of the nature of their disability. It is imperative that a single committee with expertise and responsibility to deal with all disability issues, in addition to mental health and substance abuse, be established.
United Housing respectfully requests that you reconsider the revised committee structure and create a dedicated joint committee on disabilities that would include mental illness, substance abuse, cognitive development, physical disabilities, and other medical challenges.
We would appreciate an opportunity to articulate our concerns in person with you and will contact your office to set up a meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Noyes , Community Advocacy Coordinator for the AIDS Housing Corporation, at 617-927-0088 x26 or via email at mnoyes
ahc.org.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership