Categories: Federal
03.25.2014
Help us fight to support these vital programs
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With an Executive Budget proposed by President Obama earlier this month, our attention has now turned to the House and Senate budgets for the 2015 fiscal year. Several “Dear Colleague” letters are now in circulation to support funding increases for key programs that impact the supportive housing world. We urge you to call your elected officials and call on them to sign on in support. For a rundown of key programs within the US Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD), see below.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Rep. Gwen Moore is leading a sign-on letter for her colleagues in the House of Representatives in support of the President’s request of $2.405 billion in funding for HUD’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants in FY 2015. The deadline for representatives to join the letter is April 4. Members of the House can sign on to the letter by contacting Sean Gard of Rep. Moore’s office.
Similarly, Sen. Jack Reed is circulating a sign-on letter in the Senate in support of funding for McKinney programs in FY 2015. The deadline for senators to sign on to the letter is April 1. Members of the Senate can join by contacting James Ahn in Senator Reed’s office.
Housing Choice Vouchers
New York Rep. Jerold Nadler’s Dear Colleague letter supports increased funding for Housing Choice Vouchers. In order to restore all lost Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) due to sequestration, HUD needs an additional $320 million above the President’s budget request. The deadline for the letter is March 31. The contact in Rep. Nadler’s office is Melissa Connolly.
HOME Program
Rep. Marcia Fudge and Sen. Patrick Leahy are both circulating Dear Colleague letters on the HOME Program. The House letter requests a return to fiscal year 2011 levels of $1.6 billion for the HOME Program. The Senate letter requests a funding increase to $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2015. Both letters represent an increase over the President’s request of $950 million. The deadline for the House letter is March 26, and the contact in Rep. Fudge’s office is Jacob Gelman. The deadline for the Senate letter is March 28, and the contact is Lauren Bracket.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
New York Rep. Michael Grimm is leading a bipartisan effort with Rep. Al Green and Rep. Mike Michaud to support the President’s request of $75 million for 10,000 new HUD-VASH vouchers. The deadline to sign on is March 27. The contact at Rep. Green’s office is Gregg Orton.
Time is of the essence for these programs. Please call your representative and senators today and urge them to sign on to these four important letters!