Action Digest

Sep 04, 2012

URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Take action on these issues today.

Tell Congress to Prevent the Devastating Impact of Sequestration on Housing Programs

Congress needs to hear from you now about the harmful impact that the impending sequestration will have on two million Americans who benefit from affordable housing and community development programs. Urge your Members of Congress to prevent this looming disaster in a responsible way.

The sequester will impose indiscriminate, across-the-board cuts that will devastate housing and social service programs, and many other programs that carry out core government functions.  At risk are 185,000 vouchers that will be on the chopping block and 145,000 people who will remain homeless instead of housed in FY13.

The Timeline
Congress will return to session on Monday, September 10. Between now and then, we ask that you do two things:

  1. Contact your Member directly.
  2. Sign on to a letter that urges Congress to stop these cuts, promote the common good, protect the vulnerable and rebuild the economy. Visit this site to read and sign onto the letter, which is sponsored by the Coalition on Human Needs. The deadline is September 10, so don’t delay.


The Ask
Urge Congress to promote the common good, protect the vulnerable, and rebuild the economy. Encourage your Members of Congress to use a balanced approach to deficit reduction that will not destroy the safety net of the most vulnerable Americans.

Explain the impacts of the sequester cuts, and urge instead that Congress come up with a balanced budget solution.

The Tools

  • Learn more about the impact the sequester will have on affordable housing and community development programs here.
  • To learn more about sequestration, view our recent Memo to Members article.
  • To send an individual message to your Senators and Representatives, visit CHN’s website.
  • Find contact information for your Members of Congress here.

Endorse Funding for the National Housing Trust Fund
Sign your organization on to support an innovative proposal to fund the National Housing Trust Fund through reform of the mortgage interest deduction (MID).  Soon-to-be introduced legislation would provide dedicated funding for the National Housing Trust Fund with savings generated by the MID reform.

Widespread support from organizations nationwide is crucial to securing this funding source, so please sign on now. 

The Timeline
We need to have as many organizations as possible signed on to the funding proposal by September 10 when Congress returns to session.

The Ask
Visit this webpage to access the sign on form and endorse the proposal.

The Tools

  • View more information on the proposal here.
  • View additional resources and a presentation on the issue here.

ADDITIONAL TOOLS

Use these tools to take action.

NLIHC’s State Housing Profiles are a Valuable Advocacy Resource
NLIHC’s State Housing Profiles (SHP) are an immensely helpful tool that provides in-depth information on housing needs by state. Earlier this summer, we released revised Congressional District Housing Profiles. These State Housing Profiles are yet another tool to help you make your case.

Learn more and view our recently updated SHPs for your state.

Get Voterized! Participate in National Voter Registration Day.
On September 25, 2012, organizations, volunteers, local groups and advocates, across the country will participate in National Voter Registration Day to engage community members in nonpartisan voter activities. 

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