Lawmakers are circulating “Dear Colleague” sign-on letters in support of funding for affordable housing and community development programs in FY20. NLIHC encourages advocates to reach out to their members of Congress and ask them to sign onto the following letters:
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and Homeless Assistance
- Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is circulating a letter requesting $3 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants and $24 billion for tenant-based rental assistance in FY20. The deadline to sign is April 1. Senators can contact Meredith Booker ([email protected]) to sign the letter.
- Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is circulating a letter requesting $24 billion for tenant-based rental assistance in FY20. The deadline to sign is March 29. Representatives can contact Melissa Connolly ([email protected]) to sign the letter.
- Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and John Katko (R-NY) are circulating a letter requesting $3 billion for homeless assistance in FY 20. The deadline to sign is March 25. Representatives can contact Maryah Thompson ([email protected]) to sign the letter.
Fair Housing Programs
- Representatives Al Green (D-TX) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) are circulating a letter requesting $52 million for the Fair Housing Initiative program, $35.2 million for the Fair Housing Assistance program, and $102 million for HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in FY 20. The deadline to sign is March 25. Representatives can contact Tenzin Pelkyi ([email protected]) or Emma Mehrabi ([email protected]) to sign the letter.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH) is circulating a letter calling for $1.5 billion in funding for the HOME Investment Partnerships program (HOME) in FY20. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 1. Representatives can Kate McCann ([email protected]) to sign.
Community Development Block Grant Program
- Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chris Coons (D-DE) are circulating a letter in support of $3.8 billion for the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) in FY20. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 4. Senators can contact Meghan Ladwig ([email protected]) to sign.
- Representatives James McGovern (D-MA), Mike Turner (R-OH), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) are circulating a letter in support of $3.3 billion for the CDBG program in FY20. The deadline to sign on is March 29. Representatives can contact Harsh Deshmukh ([email protected]) to sign the letter.
Self-Help Housing Program (SHOP)
- Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) is circulating a letter requesting $15 million for SHOP and $5 million for Rural Capacity Building. The deadline is March 29. Representatives can contact Fred Castro ([email protected]) to sign the letter.
- Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is circulating a letter requesting the same amounts for the SHOP and Rural Capacity Building. The deadline is April 1. Senators can contact Meredith Booker ([email protected]) to sign the letter.
NeighborWorks America
- Representatives Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) and Don Young (R-AK) are circulating a letter requesting $170 million for NeighborWorks America. The deadline is March 29. Representatives can contact Courtney Fogwell ([email protected]) or Jesse von Stein ([email protected]) to sign the letter.