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C <br />FL-6. Homelessness <br />Responses are needed in coordination with those of community -based <br />organizations, churches, businesses, and private foundations. Along with the <br />National League of Cities, the League supports federal efforts in the following <br />areas: emergency assistance, long-term support, and preventive measures. <br />At the federal level, the League supports aid programs to assist local <br />homeless shelters; continuation and expansion of the Emergency Food and Shelter <br />Program; and expansion of demonstration projects to provide for chronically <br />mentally and phys:caLly disabled persons who arc homeless. Deliberate efforts <br />are also needed at the national level to identify and make available surplus <br />federal property and equipment to meet the needs of emergency shelters. <br />Over the long-term, the federal government must promote and insist on the <br />maintenance of the supply of low-income single and family housing. Of equal <br />importance is renewed federal support for rural housing programs to minimize <br />the trend of homeless migration to urban centers. LMC supports NLC policy <br />urging review of Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act to put an end to <br />discrimination against the mentally disabled. Finally, extension of SSI <br />eligibility to three months is needed for homeless people receiving care in <br />Medicaid facilities, along with improvement of pre-release procedures to assure <br />that such benefits continue after discharge, as needed. <br />-79- <br />