During the most recent national call on coronavirus, disasters, housing, and homelessness, Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN), spoke about the national Day of Action hosted by CHN and NLIHC on August 24. Charlie Harak of the National Consumer Law Center discussed short-term and longer policy measures that would prevent utility cut-offs. Charlie’s short-term recommendations included extending existing utility shutoff moratoriums; waiving late fees, deposits, and reconnection fees; allowing longer payment plans; suspending adverse reporting to credit bureaus; revising Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) rules and documentation requirements; and writing off debt. Long-term recommendations included discounting rates; implementing arrearage management programs; enacting PIPPs (Percentage of Income Payment Plans); and additional LIHEAP funding, which was included in the House-passed “HEROES Act.”
Phyllis Chamberlain, executive director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Justin Jones, Clark County commissioner for District F, and Cedar Rapids City Councilman Dale Todd provided field updates. NLIHC’s Sarah Saadian, Joey Lindstrom, and Lisa Marlow provided updates from Capitol Hill and discussed strategies for ensuring that Senate Republicans #GetBackToWork and pass a comprehensive coronavirus relief package that includes the essential housing and homelessness resources in the “HEROES Act.”
NLIHC hosts national calls on the coronavirus, disasters, housing, and homelessness every week. On today’s call, we will hear updates on the devastation wrought by Hurricane Laura in the Gulf Coast, the wildfires in California, and the massive storms in Iowa. Register for today’s call (Monday, August 31 at 2:30 pm ET) at: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan
Watch a recording of the August 24 call at: tinyurl.com/y4wfbfob