Over 2,000 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended the weekly “Coronavirus, Housing, and Homelessness” national call hosted by NLIHC and DHRC on April 13. The call featured updates from national, state, and local advocates and services providers working to assist people experiencing homelessness, low-income households, and members of marginalized communities, all of whom are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Register for today’s 2:30 p.m. ET call at: https://bit.ly/2R2Xj2f
Last week, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, joined the call to discuss his ongoing push for emergency rental assistance as Congress debates a fourth coronavirus stimulus package. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) also addressed the need for rental assistance and more resources for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the next federal aid package.
Cathy Alderman of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless spoke about the challenges facing homeless service providers in Colorado, and Bill Faith of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio discussed his coalition’s efforts to transfer shelter residents to non-congregate housing. Richard Cho of Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness shared how his organization successfully decongested their state shelter system by partnering with the state government and FEMA. Greg Payne of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition and Avesta Housing relayed information on how CDBG funding made available by the CARES Act can be used to address affordable housing and homelessness. Hank Hughes of New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness spoke about efforts to ensure shelters remain open during the pandemic and the organization’s outreach efforts to unsheltered individuals. Jackie Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center discussed the challenges immigrants face in accessing healthcare and housing resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NLIHC staff shared updates to our congressional and regulatory recommendations and highlighted a new toolkit on FEMA programs that includes information on Public Assistance eligibility, FEMA’s role during COVID-19, lessons learned from interacting with the agency, and more.
NLIHC and DHRC will host national calls on the Coronavirus, Housing, and Homelessness every Monday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Register for today’s call at: https://bit.ly/2R2Xj2f
Watch a recording of the April 13 call at: https://bit.ly/3eppQJe
View presentation slides at: https://bit.ly/3bblGmn
Stay up-to-date on COVID news and housing resources at: https://bit.ly/3dwCSEm