From National Alliance to End Homeless – Call to Action

There is evidence that solution-focused interventions have reduced homelessness in many communities across the country. However, because of the current economic situation, many states are facing budget deficits, and a growing number of low-income households are in the midst of a housing and financial crisis. Without a meaningful response from the federal government, homelessness will inevitably increase.

We have a unique opportunity to gain new resources for important housing and prevention strategies. Congress and the incoming Obama Administration are crafting legislation right now aimed at economic recovery and stability.
Please join us in calling on them to invest in key programs to prevent future spikes in homelessness and refuel local efforts to end homelessness.*

Action Needed

Ask your Senators and Representatives to prevent increases in homelessness by urging the leadership to include in an economic package:

• $2 billion for the Emergency Shelter Grant Program for preventing and ending homelessness,
• $10 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund over two years, and
• $3.6 billion for 400,000 Section 8 vouchers over two years.

1) Make a phone call - Call or email the staff person who works on housing issues

2) Write a letter and fax it to your Members of Congress' offices, copying the relevant staff person.

Possible Talking Points for a phone call or a letter:

Personalize the following talking points to make your case.

1. I am calling on behalf of (Org.) to ask (Senator/Representative ______) to urge the leadership to include measures in the economic recovery package to help prevent a surge of homelessness in (City).
    
2. Research suggests that the potential rise in poverty could cause homelessness to increase by about 800,000 people a year for the next two years.
    
3. Spikes in homelessness can be prevented by making investments in prevention activities and affordable housing.
    
4. Specifically the package should include:
1. $2 billion to the homelessness prevention component of the Emergency Shelter Grant program
2. This money will prevent 400,000 households from becoming homeless or rapidly re-house those who may lose their housing.
3. Funding for 400,000 new housing choice vouchers over two years to provide the lowest income households with rent assistance.
4. $10 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund over two years to rehabilitate or build
5. 100,000 rental homes for the lowest income households.
5. Funding for homelessness prevention is needed right away and spending could begin almost immediately.
    
6. Provide as much local information as possible. For example:
1. Give local data on the rise in foreclosures, unemployment, or homelessness.
2. Tell a story about a family suffering the effects of the current economic situation.
3. Describe how state/local budget cuts or an increase in need has impacted your ability to address homelessness in your community.
4. Describe any projects or initiatives that have stalled because of the financial crisis.
    
7. Talk about your community’s success in homelessness prevention and / or Section 8 vouchers to prevent and end homelessness in (City) and what you would be able to accomplish with more.

For More Information
Please Contact: Herb Levine, Executive Director at hlevine@merceralliance.org or 609-844-1006.