WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) and other state, local, and national leaders call on advocates, elected officials, and concerned citizens to participate in the Our Homes, Our Voices day of action on July 29 to bring more attention to America’s affordable housing crisis. Coordinated activities will be held in cities across the nation to call for a greater investment in affordable homes and community development.
All people deserve an affordable home, and no one should be forced to give up food and basic healthcare to keep a roof over their heads. When we invest in affordable homes, we invest in people, our communities, and America as a whole – from increased employment and economic mobility to improved health and better education.
Yet, far too many families – including low income seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and families with children – struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Nationwide, more people are renting their homes than ever before. But our investments in affordable housing have not kept pace. Today, three out of four families in need of federal housing assistance are turned away due to a lack of funding. As a result, millions of people do not have an affordable place to call home and half a million people live on the street, in shelters, or in their cars on any given night. Every state and community is impacted.
This year, federal investments in affordable housing face significant budget threats. In the name of deficit reduction, Congress has put in place low spending caps that starve low income families and communities of the resources they need to thrive. President Trump has proposed even deeper cuts in 2018, which would slash federal investments in affordable housing by $7.4 billion or 15%. Instead of reducing our nation’s investments in affordable housing, we should make a bold and sustained commitment to ensure that everyone has a safe, accessible and affordable home. This starts with Congress rejecting the President’s 2018 budget proposal, lifting the spending caps equally for defense and domestic programs, and fully investing in affordable housing resources that help low income families keep a roof over their heads.
President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition Diane Yentel, who serves on the planning committee for the day of action, says, “It is essential that we raise our voices in support of our homes and communities. Increasing access to affordable homes—especially in areas connected to good schools, well-paying jobs, healthcare, and transportation—helps families climb the economic ladder and leads to greater economic and community development. We will work alongside our national and local partners to not only stop the devastating cuts to housing investments proposed by the Trump Administration, but to ensure that everyone—especially those with the lowest incomes—has an affordable place to call home.”
Organizations, elected officials, and individuals who would like to participate in the Our Homes, Our Voices day of action should contact [email protected].
The following national, state, and local organizations are partners for Our Homes, Our Voices: The National Low Income Housing Coalition, B’nai B’rith International, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, Enterprise Community Partners, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Assistance Council, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, National Network to End Domestic Violence, New York Housing Conference, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Visit Our Homes, Our Voices at: www.ourhomes-ourvoices.org/
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CHCDF is an education, strategy, and action hub for national organizations dedicated to preserving and expanding federal housing and community development funding for lower-income families and communities. CHCDF’s members include a full continuum of national housing and community development organizations, including faith-based, nonprofit, private sector, financial/intermediary, public sector and advocacy groups.
CHCDF is staffed by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, established in 1974 by Cushing N. Dolbeare. NLIHC is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest income in the United States have affordable and decent homes.