October 28 National HoUSed Campaign Call – Effects of the Government Shutdown

On October 28, NLIHC hosted a national HoUSed campaign call focusing on how the current government shutdown affects key programs assisting survivors of domestic violence and supporting healthcare, consequences that make accessing affordable housing harder.   

NLIHC Senior Vice President for Public Policy David Gonzalez Rice kicked off the call by introducing the panelists. National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Director of Housing, Elena Hampton-Stover, and Policy Specialist Olivia Brochu discussed how, following the shutdown, the Department of Justice (DOJ) closed key grant-making offices whose programs support survivors of domestic violence—creating uncertainty for organizations providing direct housing services like rent assistance. Hampton-Stover and Brochu highlighted the shutdown’s impact on legal action and the economic security of federal workers, as well. The shutdown blocked pending investigations under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), efforts to restore DOJ grant funding for organizations participating in DEI, and the distribution of benefits such as SNAP.   

Children’s HealthWatch Research and Policy Analyst Carley Ruemmele provided context on how an increase in the Affordable Care Act’s premiums would likely price families out of their healthcare coverage—and with the simultaneous loss of SNAP benefits, significantly threatens families’ access to basic needs and care. Gonzalez Rice named other shutdown-related consequences of interest, including HUD reductions-in-force that affect inspection of quality, enforcement, and communications between members of Congress and the administration. NLIHC Vice President of Field Strategy & Innovation Ramina Davidson concluded the call by sharing opportunities for collective action and collaboration between interested groups.   

A recording of the call, as well as the presentation slides, are now available.   

Register here for NLIHC’s next national HoUSed campaign call on November 25 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm ET.    

Avenues for Advocacy 

• Urge Congressmembers to re-open the government and support funding and health care for survivors
• See the toolkit for more information and ways to advocate. 

Domestic Violence Resources 

• Check out NNEDV’s resource library
• Explore state-based resources and organizations for survivors
• Domestic Violence Hotline  

Food Security 

• Check out Feeding America’s “Find Your Local Food Bank” search  

Resources During a Shutdown 

• Read through the National Law Housing Project’s know-your-rights information 

NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign calls take place on the second and last Tuesday of every month, from 4:00 pm – 5:00pm ET. Register for the series here. 

Access NLIHC’s archive of HoUSed campaign recordings here.