The Housing and Social Welfare Commission of the Senate of Puerto Rico, chaired by Senator Jamie Barlucea Rodríguez, today celebrated a public view to evaluate the Senate 440 project, of its authorship, which proposes to establish the “free Services Law and Expedites to the homeless”.
The measure seeks to guarantee that this population can access, at no cost, to essential official documents such as birth and marriage certificates, certifications of the Municipal Income Collection Center (CRIM) and the identification card issued by the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP).
“The problem of homeless people and the lack of housing is a visible issue on our island that has increased in the last ten years. We have seen that over the years this issue is addressed at certain times, but, nevertheless, despite the work done by each entity and each agency, from the legislature we have not seen a proactive action,” said Senator Barlucea Rodríguez.
The project, which also joined Senator Jeison Rosa Ramos as co -author, establishes that applicants will be able to obtain the documents free of charge, if they evidence, that they receive some government service or from a non -profit organization, which are pernocent in an emergency shelter, or that they participate in a transit or permanent housing program and were identified as homeless. The entities in charge of these services must issue an official certification to validate the status of the applicant.
The Administrator of the Administration of Mental Health Services and against Addiction (ASSMCA), Catherine I. Oliver Franco, stressed the importance of eliminating bureaucratic barriers that prevent these people from accessing government services, emphasizing that “it represents a crucial step in the elimination of barriers.”
“This bill has the potential to structurally transform access to fundamental services for the homeless population, eliminating both economic barriers and bureaucratic obstacles that historically have limited its inclusion,” he said. Meanwhile, he added that he must incorporate language that instructs executing agencies that establish effective identity verification mechanisms.
In turn, the executive director of the Director of Services to the Driver of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP), Mary Fuster Romero, explained that the department may issue the identification cards with the same specifications that it does through the “Protocol for homeless”, through which an identification card, free of cost, with validity of life; as well as is done with people over 65 years. Although, complying with the federal law, only the official state card would be issued only. In the same way, he added that to the extent language should be included so that DTOP receives a budget item to cover the operational costs to generate real identifications ID ACT of 2005.
For its part, Belinda Hill, president of the Board of Directors of the Pr-502 Care Continuous (COC PR-502), stressed that P. of the S. 440 supports since it exempts the cost of expedition the certifications or government documents, “since the payment of amounts or charges to receive said documents represents a barrier of access to services that limit the possibilities of recovery of these people.” At the same time, which argued about the need for training of public servants who issue these documents to avoid discrimination against homeless.
“Consono to eliminate barriers to the recovery of these people, we recommend in order to improve the access of homeless people to these services without the fear of being discriminated against, that the measure includes guarantees that their rights will be respected by public officials who attend them. This may include the mandate to train said public officials about the rights of this population and about the importance of sensitizing public servants on the particular needs of this sector. Hill added.
Given this, to questions by Senator Barlucea Rodríguez about discrimination towards Sinhogarismo, the executive director of the Civil Rights Commission, graduate Ever Padilla Ruiz, said that, although the agencies reserve the right of admission, it cannot be discriminated against anyone. He stressed that sometimes these people have economic resources to pay for services, but that by appearance they are prohibited in offices.
“We have observed that access to business was denied when a homeless person had to acquire goods and services and they were not even allowed to buy having the money for only their appearance or because that was going to scare other customers … It is important to distinguish that these businesses operate with licenses and with municipal and state authorizations that cannot discriminate against anyone,” he emphasized.
Fuster Romero recalled that the DTOP has an action procedure to receive and serve the homeless people linked to the ASSMCA and other government entities. It was also available in maintaining an open communication with COC and the Civil Rights Commission to know and address cases of discrimination in offices of your department.
Mr. Padilla Ruiz also indicated that to make these effective efforts, an orientation campaign that includes several entities must be executed. “Our recommendation is in order to add a new article to order the multisectoral council in support of the homeless population that establishes an orientation campaign in collaboration with the COO pr-502 and COO Pr-503 so that the legislative intention embodied to this extent can be effective,” he explained.
Otherwise, the demographic registration director of the Department of Health, Wanda Llovet Díaz, recommended that only one free birth certification per year can be issued during a specific period of eight years.
“This restriction is aligned with the law to prohibit the retention, archive and custody of certified copies of birth certificates that discourages the unnecessary retention of certifications, while allowing to comply with the principles of documentary security and identity protection. In addition, it is crucial improper, ”he said.
As for the collaborating entity of the continuous care program of the southeast of Puerto Rico, Moriviví coordinator, its president Yesenia Mojica Figueroa said that the project supports, but mechanisms must be established. Among these, he listed that the certifications issued by CRIM, which are valid for 3 months, are issued free of cost once this term is completed; Also, that the only requirement to receive these services is the evidence of receiving some government service or non -profit organization; and finally, that agencies do not impose additional requirements.
This legislation responds to public policy to meet the needs of the homeless population and promotes their inclusion in society through access to basic documentation, to obtain other health, employment and housing services. The family and criminal department, although excused for public hearing, sent explanatory memorials where the senatorial project endorsed.
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