When we need advocates to weigh in with policy makers on major issues, we send out a Call to Action to our members and supporters. Take a look at recent Calls to Action here.

  • Current Call to Action

    Join NLIHC’s Renter Protections Working Group to Advocate for Robust Federal Renter Protections!

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    NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign – and its nearly 2,000 member organizations – have a key opportunity this year to advance a major priority in the campaign’s policy agenda: strengthening federal renter protections to address the power imbalance between landlords and renters!

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued on May 30 a Request for Input (RFI) on how the agency can create and enforce renter protections for households living in rental properties with federally backed mortgages. NLIHC will draft a comment letter in response to the RFI and invites advocates to join a weekly Renter Protections Working Group call that will be held Wednesdays at 4 pm ET, beginning this Wednesday, June 7. Register for the weekly meeting here.

    Because more than 12 million renters live in properties with federally backed mortgages, any renter protections created by FHFA could cover a significant share of renters across the nation and put the country on a path towards stronger protections for all renters. Landlords and business interests will come out in full force to try to stop FHFA from protecting renters, so it is critical that advocates take action and make their voices heard. Advocates have until July 31, 2023, to weigh in with FHFA to demand strong renter protections by submitting a public comment and by signing on to the national support letter!


    Background

    Strengthening and enforcing renter protections is a key pillar of NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign to advance the anti-racist policies and achieve the large-scale, sustained investments necessary to ensure renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable place to call home. Federal renter protections are needed to address the power imbalance between renters and landlords that puts renters at greater risk of housing instability, harassment, and homelessness and fuels racial inequity.

    FHFA agreed to consider renter protections as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, which was released in January 2023 after a months-long effort to gather input from stakeholders. In meetings with senior White House officials, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel and NLIHC’s Tenant Leader Cohort urged the administration to take decisive action, including actions to establish renter protections for households living in properties with federally backed mortgages.

    NLIHC’s top priorities for federal renter protections include:

    • Source-of-income protections to prohibit landlords from discriminating against households receiving housing assistance and to give families greater choice about where to live.
    • “Just cause” eviction standards and the right to renew leases to help protect renters from housing instability.
    • Anti-rent gouging protections to stop landlords from dramatically raising rents.
    • Requirements to ensure housing is safe, decent, accessible, and healthy for renters and their families.
    At a minimum, any renter protections established by FHFA should be:
    • Informed through continued engagement with renters and directly impacted people.
    • Focused on racial and social equity as an explicit goal.
    • Mandatory for all landlords and all rental properties, including multifamily and one-to-four-unit properties with an existing or future federally backed-mortgage.
    • Paired with strong enforcement. Landlords who violate renter protections should be found to be in technical default and should not be eligible for future loans.

    Take Action

    Join our weekly working group on Renter Protections on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm ET to help inform and strengthen NLIHC’s comment letter. Register for the weekly meeting here.

    You can also support federal renter protections in the following ways:

    • Submit a public comment by July 31. It is critical that FHFA hear from you and as many advocates as possible in support of renter protections! Resources to help advocates craft your comments, including a sample comment letter, and a direct portal to submit comments are available here.
    • Sign on to NLIHC’s national support letter, calling on FHFA to create strong federal renter protections.
    • Call on advocates in your community to participate! Share information with your networks and encourage renters and advocates to demand federal renter protections.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

  • 2023

    Take Action to Advance Renter Protections before July 31!

    July 25, 2023

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is requesting input through July 31 on how the agency can create and enforce renter protections for the 12 million renters living in rental properties with federally backed mortgages. FHFA’s request for input (RFI) represents a key opportunity to advance a major priority in the HoUSed campaign’s policy agenda this year: strengthening federal renter protections to address the power imbalance between landlords and renters. NLIHC and our partner organizations are calling for robust responses to FHFA’s RFI from directly impacted people and tenant advocates.
    Four actions to take before the July 31 deadline:

    1. Add your organization to NLIHC’s letter calling on FHFA to create strong federal renter protections.
    2. Submit a public comment to FHFA using NLIHC’s sample comment letter.
    3. Join NLIHC’s working group on renter protections on July 26 at 4 pm ET to help strengthen NLIHC’s comment letter.
    4. Share this opportunity with your networks!

    Background

    FHFA’s RFI comes as a result of the Biden-Harris administration’s Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, which was released in January after a months-long effort to gather input from stakeholders. In meetings with senior White House officials, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel and NLIHC’s Tenant Leader Cohort urged the administration to take decisive action, including to establish renter protections for households living in properties with federally backed mortgages.

    NLIHC’s top four priorities for federal renter protections include:

    1. Source-of-income protections to prohibit landlords from discriminating against households receiving housing assistance and to give families greater choice about where to live.
    2. “Just cause” eviction standards and the right to renew leases to help protect renters from housing instability.
    3. Anti-rent gouging protections to stop landlords from dramatically raising rents.
    4. Requirements to ensure housing is safe, decent, accessible, and healthy for renters and their families.
    • NLIHC urges FHFA to ensure these efforts are informed by people with lived experience throughout the process, advance racial and social equity, include strong enforcement, and are mandatory for all landlords and all properties. Learn more here.

    House Republicans Propose Cuts of More Than 25% to HUD Programs – Take Action on June 16 with NLIHC and CHCDF! 

    June 15, 2023

    Republican appropriators in the U.S. House of Representatives released yesterday topline allocations for fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills. The House is proposing to cut more than $22.12 billion from the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) bill, which funds crucial HUD rental assistance, homelessness assistance, and community development programs – a cut of more than 25% from FY23-enacted levels. 
     
    Take action tomorrow, June 16, with NLIHC and the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) to tell Congress that cuts to affordable housing and homelessness programs are unacceptable! NLIHC and our partners at CHCDF are hosting a national Day of Action on June 16 during which advocates around the country can contact their members of Congress and demand they protect – not cut – federal funding for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing and homelessness programs. 
     
    Use this CHCDF call-in script to help create your message to Congress, and urge your representatives to reject calls for steep program cuts and instead provide significant funding for HUD programs, including NLIHC’s top priorities: 

    • Implementing full funding for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program to renew all existing contracts.
    • Providing full funding for public housing operations and repairs.
    • Fully funding homelessness assistance grants.
    • Providing $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
    • Funding a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program.
    • Maintaining funding for competitive tribal housing grants for tribes with the greatest needs.
    You can also use these other NLIHC resources to call, email, and tweet your members of Congress: 

    Background

    Just days after Congress passed and the President signed into law an agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling in exchange for holding FY24 spending at FY23 levels and capping growth for domestic spending in FY25 at a mere 1%, Republicans have announced they will mark up FY24 spending bills to FY22 allocations. 
     
    Caving to the demands of far-right House Freedom Caucus members, Republican leaders in the House – including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Appropriations Chair Kay Granger (R-TX) – agreed to mark up FY24 spending bills to FY22 levels, imposing significantly deeper cuts to domestic programs than the already austere caps in the debt ceiling agreement. This proposal will lead to increased poverty and hardship, especially for people with the lowest incomes. 
     
    House Republicans pushed for cuts to FY22 funding in their “Limit, Save, and Grow Act,” which passed the House along party lines on April 26. According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, such cuts would “represent the most devastating impacts in HUD’s history” and “make it impossible to stave off mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households could lose HUD rental assistance, and nearly 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. USDA also released a statement stating that up to 63,000 rural households would lose rental assistance if spending in FY24 were capped at FY22 funding levels. 
     
    This proposal comes at a time when poverty, housing instability, and homelessness are increasing across the nation, as families continue to navigate the economic fallout of the pandemic and pandemic-era assistance runs dry. According to NLIHC’s research report The Gap, there is a national shortage of over 7.3 million rental homes affordable and available to people with the lowest incomes. Recent data from NLIHC’s report Out of Reach show that workers must earn at least $28.58 per hour – almost four times the federal minimum wage – to afford a two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent without spending more than 30% of their income on rent.
     
    It is crucial that Congress not enact policies that increase poverty and hardship, especially for people with the lowest incomes. Members of Congress must look beyond dollar amounts and grasp the human cost of cutting and capping federal spending for affordable housing and homelessness programs. Such steep budget cuts would make it much harder for people experiencing homelessness to find stable homes and put nearly 1 million of the lowest-income renters at risk of eviction and homelessness by cutting their housing assistance. Housing provides the foundation for stability in all other aspects of life. Many households, if they were to lose HUD assistance, would struggle to put food on the table, stay healthy, and access employment and educational opportunities.
     
    Please reach out to the NLIHC Field Team at [email protected] with questions. Thank you for your advocacy!

    Join NLIHC’s Renter Protections Working Group to Advocate for Robust Federal Renter Protections!

    June 6, 2023

    NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign – and its nearly 2,000 member organizations – have a key opportunity this year to advance a major priority in the campaign’s policy agenda: strengthening federal renter protections to address the power imbalance between landlords and renters!

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued on May 30 a Request for Input (RFI) on how the agency can create and enforce renter protections for households living in rental properties with federally backed mortgages. NLIHC will draft a comment letter in response to the RFI and invites advocates to join a weekly Renter Protections Working Group call that will be held Wednesdays at 4 pm ET, beginning this Wednesday, June 7. Register for the weekly meeting here.

    Because more than 12 million renters live in properties with federally backed mortgages, any renter protections created by FHFA could cover a significant share of renters across the nation and put the country on a path towards stronger protections for all renters. Landlords and business interests will come out in full force to try to stop FHFA from protecting renters, so it is critical that advocates take action and make their voices heard. Advocates have until July 31, 2023, to weigh in with FHFA to demand strong renter protections by submitting a public comment and by signing on to the national support letter!

    Background

    Strengthening and enforcing renter protections is a key pillar of NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign to advance the anti-racist policies and achieve the large-scale, sustained investments necessary to ensure renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable place to call home. Federal renter protections are needed to address the power imbalance between renters and landlords that puts renters at greater risk of housing instability, harassment, and homelessness and fuels racial inequity.

    FHFA agreed to consider renter protections as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, which was released in January 2023 after a months-long effort to gather input from stakeholders. In meetings with senior White House officials, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel and NLIHC’s Tenant Leader Cohort urged the administration to take decisive action, including actions to establish renter protections for households living in properties with federally backed mortgages.

    NLIHC’s top priorities for federal renter protections include:

    • Source-of-income protections to prohibit landlords from discriminating against households receiving housing assistance and to give families greater choice about where to live.
    • “Just cause” eviction standards and the right to renew leases to help protect renters from housing instability.
    • Anti-rent gouging protections to stop landlords from dramatically raising rents.
    • Requirements to ensure housing is safe, decent, accessible, and healthy for renters and their families.
    At a minimum, any renter protections established by FHFA should be:
    • Informed through continued engagement with renters and directly impacted people.
    • Focused on racial and social equity as an explicit goal.
    • Mandatory for all landlords and all rental properties, including multifamily and one-to-four-unit properties with an existing or future federally backed-mortgage.
    • Paired with strong enforcement. Landlords who violate renter protections should be found to be in technical default and should not be eligible for future loans.

    Take Action

    Join our weekly working group on Renter Protections on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm ET to help inform and strengthen NLIHC’s comment letter. Register for the weekly meeting here.

    You can also support federal renter protections in the following ways:

    • Submit a public comment by July 31. It is critical that FHFA hear from you and as many advocates as possible in support of renter protections! Resources to help advocates craft your comments, including a sample comment letter, and a direct portal to submit comments are available here.
    • Sign on to NLIHC’s national support letter, calling on FHFA to create strong federal renter protections.
    • Call on advocates in your community to participate! Share information with your networks and encourage renters and advocates to demand federal renter protections.

    Take Action Now to Urge Robust Federal Renter Protections!

    May 31, 2023

    NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign – and its nearly 2,000 member organizations – have a key opportunity this year to advance a major priority in the campaign’s policy agenda: strengthening federal renter protections to address the power imbalance between landlords and renters!

    Due to the tremendous power imbalance between landlords and renters, far too many renters experience discrimination, exorbitant rent increases, evictions, and in worst cases, homelessness. In many parts of the country, renters have few legal protections against harmful landlord abuses, and too often, the rights renters do have go unenforced.  Advocates now have an important opportunity to share their story and make their voices heard. 

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued yesterday a Request for Input (RFI) on how the agency can create and enforce renter protections for households living in rental properties with federally backed mortgages. Any renter protections created by FHFA could cover a significant share of renters across the nation and put America on a pathway towards stronger protections for all renters. Advocates now have 60 days to weigh in with FHFA to demand strong renter protections by submitting a public comment by July 31, 2023 and signing on to the national support letter!

    Background

    Strengthening and enforcing renter protections is a key pillar of NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign to advance the anti-racist policies and achieve the large-scale, sustained investments necessary to ensure renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable place to call home. Federal renter protections are needed to address the power imbalance between renters and landlords that puts renters at greater risk of housing instability, harassment, and homelessness and fuels racial inequity. FHFA agreed to consider renter protections as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, which was released in January 2023 after a months-long effort to gather input from stakeholders. In meetings with senior White House officials, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel and NLIHC’s Tenant Leader Cohort urged the administration to take decisive action, including actions to establish renter protections for households living in properties with federally-backed mortgages.
    NLIHC’s top priorities for federal renter protections include:

    • Source-of-income protections to prohibit landlords from discriminating against households receiving housing assistance and to give families greater choice about where to live.
    • “Just cause” eviction standards and the right to renew leases to help protect renters from housing instability.
    • Anti-rent gouging protections to stop landlords from dramatically raising rents.
    • Requirements to ensure housing is safe, decent, accessible and healthy for renters and their families.
    At a minimum, any renter protections established by FHFA should be:
    • Informed through continued engagement with renters and directly impacted people.
    • Focused on racial and social equity as an explicit goal.
    • Mandatory for all landlords and all rental properties, including multifamily and one-to-four-unit properties with an existing or future federally backed-mortgage.
    • Paired with strong enforcement. Landlords who violate renter protections should be found to be in technical default and should not be eligible for future loans.

    The public comment period is now open for 60 days for advocates to weigh in with FHFA to demand strong renter protections. Landlords and business interests will come out in full force to try to stop FHFA from protecting renters, so it is critical that advocates take action and make their voices heard!

    Take Action

    You can support federal renter protections in the following ways:

    • Submit a public comment by July 31. It is critical that FHFA hear from you and as many advocates as possible in support of renter protections! Resources to help advocates craft your comments, including a sample comment letter, and a direct portal to submit comments are available here.
    • Sign on to NLIHC’s national support lettercalling on FHFA to create strong federal renter protections.
    • Join our weekly working group on Renter Protections on Wednesdays at 4:00pm ET starting on June 7 to help inform and strengthen NLIHC’s comment letterRegister for the weekly meeting here.
    • Call on advocates in your community to participate! Share information with your networks and encourage renters and advocates to demand federal renter protections.

    Your Advocacy Is Needed! Final Debt Ceiling Agreement Could Harm Renters and People Experiencing Homelessness!

    May 28, 2023

    President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reached an agreement to lift the debt ceiling in exchange for essentially a two-year freeze on spending for important domestic programs and increased work requirements for certain recipients of food and cash assistance programs, among other things.
     
    Because some HUD programs require additional funding to keep up with inflation, higher rents, and interest rate hikes, the debt ceiling agreement acts as a significant cut to affordable housing and homelessness assistance. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 alone, HUD needs an estimated $13 billion to $16 billion in additional funding just to maintain current levels of assistance. Unless further action is taken by Congress, tens of thousands of households will be at risk of losing rental assistance.
     
    NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel said in a statement, “House Republicans held our nation’s lowest-income and most marginalized people hostage in exchange for lifting the debt ceiling. By preventing necessary inflationary cost increases for critical HUD programs, this debt ceiling deal could lead to tens of thousands of families losing rental assistance during an already deepening housing and homelessness crisis. Expanding ineffective work requirements and adding time limits for food assistance adds salt to the wound, further harming some of the lowest income and most marginalized people in our country.”
     
    Under the debt ceiling agreement, FY 2024 spending for domestic programs would essentially be capped at FY 2023 levels, and spending increases in FY 2025 would be limited to just one percent. Unobligated COVID-19 relief resources would be rescinded, although critical Emergency Housing Vouchers and Emergency Rental Assistance funds are spared. The House and Senate will now work quickly to enact the agreement before the nation defaults on its debts on June 5.
     
    Your effective advocacy helped prevent some of the most extreme House Republican proposals from being enacted. Our collective efforts increased public pressure to prevent HUD’s budget being cut by 30 percent, which could have put nearly 1 million households at risk of losing their rental assistance and denied services to 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness.

    But this final debt ceiling agreement will cause significant harm to households with the greatest needs. Once the agreement is enacted, Congress will turn its attention to divvying up the available funds among various departments and programs and begin drafting and voting to approve final spending bills.

    Your continued advocacy will be needed over the coming weeks and months to ensure the highest level of funding possible within these tight budget caps for affordable housing and homelessness programs, and to protect thousands of our nation’s lowest-income and most marginalized households from losing their rental assistance.
     
    NLIHC will share a more detailed analysis of the debt ceiling deal and next steps for advocacy in the coming days and weeks.

    Take Action TODAY! President Biden and House Republicans Inch Closer to a Debt Ceiling Deal That Could Harm Affordable Housing and Homelessness Assistance

    May 26, 2023

    President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) are close to reaching an agreement in the coming days to lift the debt ceiling. While details of the ongoing negotiations are not known, reports suggest that a final agreement may freeze or cut affordable housing and homelessness programs in fiscal year (FY) 2024, cap spending increases to just 1% in FY25, and rescind COVID-19-relief funding, among other provisions. President Biden and Speaker McCarthy are also considering measures to impose rigid work reporting requirements for anti-poverty programs.
     
    A two-year agreement to essentially freeze funding acts as a cut to affordable housing and homelessness programs. In FY24 alone, HUD will need at least $13 billion more in funding to maintain current levels of service due to inflation, higher rents, and interest rate hikes.
     
    Call your members of Congress today! Your advocacy is more important than ever to ensure that any agreement to lift the debt ceiling protects and expands resources to help people with the lowest incomes find a safe, stable, accessible, and affordable place to call home.

    Take Action

    Contact your members of Congress TODAY and ask them to weigh in with the White House and congressional leaders. Tell them that it is unacceptable to attempt to balance the federal budget at the expense of low-income people.

    Advocates can take action in the following ways:

    • Sign your organization on to the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF) annual budget letter, calling on Congress to reject spending cuts and instead provide the highest possible allocation for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in FY24.
    • Email your members of Congress today and urge them to increase – not cut – resources for affordable housing and homelessness in FY24 and to support NLIHC’s top appropriations priorities:
      • $32.7 billion for the TBRA program to renew existing vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 200,000 households.
      • $5.4 billion for public housing operations and $5 billion for public housing repairs.
      • $3.8 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program.
      • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
      • $3 billion for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program.
      • $300 million for competitive tribal housing grants, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
    • Check out NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” for talking points, sample social media messages, and more!

    Background

    Congressional leaders must reach a deal to lift the debt ceiling by as soon as June 1, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or risk a default, which could cause widespread economic turmoil.

    Reports suggest that President Biden and Speaker McCarthy could reach a compromise in the coming days. Details are still unknown, but reports suggest the agreement may lift the debt ceiling for two years in exchange for spending caps for two years on domestic programs, including affordable housing and homelessness programs. Spending on defense and veterans’ health programs would see an increase in funding in FY24, while domestic programs would receive either a freeze in spending at current FY23 levels or a modest decrease. In FY25, spending for domestic programs would be limited to a 1% increase. The agreement would also likely rescind COVID-19-relief funding, including rental assistance. President Biden and Speaker McCarthy are still negotiating over whether to impose rigid work reporting requirements for anti-poverty programs.
     
    A two-year agreement to essentially freeze funding would lead to significant cuts to affordable housing and homelessness programs. In FY24 alone, HUD will need at least $13 billion more in funding to maintain current levels of service. Without additional resources, many of our nation’s lowest-income and most marginalized households would be at risk of losing their rental assistance.
     
    The needed increase is largely due to inflation, higher rents, and interest rate hikes. According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, “between 2022 and 2023, the national population-weighted average Fair Market Rent (FMR) increased by nearly 10 percent, with 16 HUD Metro FMR Areas increasing by 20 percent or more. Rents are expected to stay high in 2024, even as growth slows down.”

    Your advocacy is already making a difference. House Republicans started negotiations by voting to approve the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act” to temporarily lift the debt limit in exchange for reducing FY24 spending to FY22 levels and capping future spending increases at 1% annually for 10 years. This would have resulted in at least a 30% reduction in funding for key housing and homelessness programs. Nearly 1 million households could have lost HUD rental assistance, and nearly 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would have been served.

    It is critical that advocates continue to make their voices heard. Congress should not enact policies that increase poverty and hardship, especially for people with the lowest incomes. Members of Congress must look beyond dollar amounts and understand the human cost of cutting federal spending for affordable housing and homelessness programs. Call your members of Congress today!

    Take Action TODAY! President Biden and House Republicans Close to Debt Ceiling Deal That Could Cut Funding for Affordable Housing and Homelessness Assistance

    May 23, 2023

    President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) could reach an agreement as soon as this week to lift the debt ceiling, and deep spending cuts for affordable housing and homelessness programs are squarely on the table. President Biden and Speaker McCarthy are also considering measures to impose rigid work reporting requirements for anti-poverty programs and to rescind COVID-19-relief funding, among other harmful provisions.
     
    Call your members of Congress today! Your advocacy is more important than ever to ensure that any agreement to lift the debt ceiling protects and expands resources to help people with the lowest incomes find a safe, stable, accessible, and affordable place to call home.
     
    Take Action
     
    Contact your members of Congress TODAY and ask them to weigh in with the White House and congressional leaders. Tell them that it is unacceptable to attempt to balance the federal budget at the expense of low-income people.
     
    Advocates can take action in the following ways:

    • Sign your organization on to the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF) annual budget letter, which calls on Congress to reject spending cuts and instead provide the highest possible allocation for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in FY24.
    • Email your members of Congress today and urge them to increase – not cut – resources for affordable housing and homelessness programs in FY24 and to support NLIHC’s top appropriations priorities:
      • $32.7 billion for the TBRA program to renew existing vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 200,000 households.
      • $5.4 billion for public housing operations and $5 billion for public housing repairs.
      • $3.8 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program.
      • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
      • $3 billion for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program.
      • $300 million for competitive tribal housing grants, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
    • Check out NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” for talking points, sample social media messages, and more!

    Background

    Congressional leaders must reach a deal to lift the debt ceiling by as soon as June 1, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or risk a default that could cause widespread economic turmoil. President Biden and Speaker McCarthy could reach a deal as soon as this week.
     
    House Republicans are demanding deep spending cuts to domestic programs, including housing and homelessness programs, and other harmful measures, in exchange for lifting the debt ceiling. The House-approved “Limit, Save, and Grow Act” would temporarily lift the debt limit in exchange for reducing FY24 spending to FY22 levels and capping future spending increases at 1% annually for 10 years. This would result in at least a 30% reduction in funding for key housing and homelessness programs.

    According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, such cuts would “represent the most devastating impacts in HUD’s history” and “make it impossible to stave off mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households could lose HUD rental assistance, and nearly 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. USDA also released a statement suggesting that up to 63,000 rural households would lose rental assistance if the Republican budget bill passed. Republicans are also pushing to rescind unobligated COVID-19-relief funding and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions. The White House has released state-by-state factsheets highlighting the devastating impacts of the proposed budget cuts.

    It is critical that Congress not enact policies that increase poverty and hardship, especially for people with the lowest incomes. Members of Congress must look beyond dollar amounts and understand the human cost of cutting federal spending for affordable housing and homelessness programs. Call your members of Congress today!

    Spring into Action: Join NLIHC’s Creative Campaign to Tell Congress #CutsHurt

    May 16, 2023

    President Biden and congressional leaders are expected to meet today (May 16) to continue negotiations to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, after staffers spent the weekend hashing out a prospective deal. The nation could default on its debt as soon as June 1 if congressional leaders and the White House do not reach an agreement to lift the debt ceiling.
     
    Despite the likely harm posed by a default, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and fellow House Republicans say they will only lift the debt ceiling in exchange for steep cuts to domestic programs, including drastic cuts to HUD’s and USDA’s vital affordable housing and homelessness programs that could reduce funding to these programs by as much as 22%, depending on how cuts are made.
     
    It is critical for advocates to reach out to their members of Congress and urge them to oppose these harmful cuts.
     
    TAKE ACTION NOW!
     
    Keep the momentum going: Speak out against budget cuts and push Congress to make necessary investments in housing and homelessness programs through NLIHC’s #SpringIntoAction campaign through May 19! Join advocates around the country who are expressing to their members of Congress the devastating toll that these cuts would take on their communities through phone calls, emails, and creative expressions, such as poems and visual art.
     
    Here are some ways to take action:

     
    We’ve also gathered additional resources to strengthen your advocacy efforts, including:

    Background

    House Republicans voted to approve the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act” on April 26 to temporarily lift the debt limit in exchange for reducing fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending to FY22 levels and capping future spending increases at 1% annually for 10 years, which would result in at least a 23% reduction in funding for key housing and homelessness programs. According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, such cuts would “represent the most devastating impacts in HUD’s history” and “make it impossible to stave off mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households could lose HUD rental assistance, and nearly 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. USDA also released a statement suggesting that up to 63,000 rural households would lose rental assistance if the Republican budget passes. The bill would also rescind unobligated COVID-19-relief funding and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.

    While the Republican bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate, its passage in the House puts more pressure on President Biden and Senate Democrats to negotiate with Speaker McCarthy over spending cuts to key programs. Congressional leaders must reach a deal to lift the debt ceiling by as soon as June 1, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or risk a default, which could cause widespread economic turmoil. President Biden met with the “four corner” Congressional leaders – Speaker McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) – on May 9 to begin debt ceiling negotiations. The leaders are expected to meet again today (May 16) to continue discussions after their staff worked through the weekend to find a compromise.
     
    With the June default deadline fast approaching, the leaders are looking for areas of common ground to help reach a deal. Some potential areas of compromise include:
    • Increased work requirements for anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs, including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
    • Rescinding unspent COVID-19 aid.
    • Potential shorter-term budget caps on federal spending, lasting up to two years. 

    It is crucial that Congress not enact policies that increase poverty and hardship, especially for people with the lowest incomes. Members of Congress must look beyond dollar amounts and grasp the human cost of cutting and capping federal spending for affordable housing and homelessness programs. Such steep budget cuts would make it much harder for people experiencing homelessness to find stable homes and put nearly 1 million of the lowest-income renters at risk of eviction and homelessness by cutting their housing assistance. Housing provides the foundation for stability in all other aspects of life. Many households, if they were to lose HUD assistance, would struggle to put food on the table, stay healthy, and access employment and educational opportunities.
     
    Please reach out to the NLIHC Field Team at [email protected] with questions. 

    Spring into Action” with NLIHC: Join Our Creative Campaign to Tell Congress#CutsHurt

    May 9, 2023

    President Joe Biden will sit down with congressional leaders today (May 9) for the first of what will likely be many negotiations to raise the national debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default. Last week, U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the nation could default on its debt as soon as June 1 if congressional leaders and the White House do not reach an agreement to lift the debt ceiling.

    Despite the likely harm posed by default, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and fellow House Republicans say they will only lift the debt ceiling in exchange for steep cuts to domestic programs, including drastic cuts to HUD’s and USDA’s vital affordable housing and homelessness programs.

    It is critical for advocates to reach out to their members of Congress and urge them to oppose these harmful cuts.

    Take Action

    Join NLIHC’s “Spring into Action” mobilization campaign from now until May 19 to speak out against budget cuts and push Congress to make necessary investments in housing and homelessness programs. During this period, we encourage advocates to creatively express the importance of federal housing resources and convey to their members of Congress the devastating toll that these cuts, if enacted, would take in their communities. Post your work on social media using the hashtags #CutsHurt and #SpringIntoAction from now until May 19, and be sure to tag your member of Congress and @NLIHC!

    Possible activities include the following:

    We also suggest that advocates make use of these additional resources:

    • NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” which includes talking points, sample social media messages, and more.
    • White House factsheets detailing the impact of House Republicans’ proposed budget cuts in each state, including the number of families that could lose rental assistance. You can highlight this number in your advocacy to emphasize the scale of the impact on constituents in your state.

    Background

    House Republicans voted to approve the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act” on April 26 to temporarily lift the debt limit in exchange for reducing fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending to FY22 levels and capping future spending increases at 1% annually for 10 years, which would result in at least a 23% reduction in funding for key housing and homelessness programs. According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, such cuts would “represent the most devastating impacts in HUD’s history” and “make it impossible to stave off mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households could lose HUD rental assistance, and nearly 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. The bill would also rescind unobligated COVID-19-relief funding and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.

    While the Republican bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate, its passage in the House puts more pressure on President Biden and Senate Democrats to negotiate with Speaker McCarthy over spending cuts to key programs. Congressional leaders must reach a deal to lift the debt ceiling by as soon as June 1, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or risk a default, which could cause widespread economic turmoil. President Biden is expected to sit down with Congressional leaders – including Speaker McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) – today (May 9) to begin debt ceiling negotiations.

    Members of Congress must look beyond dollar amounts and grasp the human cost of the House Republican proposal. Such steep budget cuts would make it much harder for people experiencing homelessness to find stable homes and put hundreds of thousands of the lowest-income renters at risk of eviction and homelessness. Housing provides the foundation for stability in all other aspects of life. Many households, if they were to lose HUD assistance, would struggle to put food on the table, stay healthy, and access employment and educational opportunities.

    Please reach out to the NLIHC Field Team at [email protected] with questions. Thank you for your advocacy!

    Spring into Action: A Creative Campaign to Tell Congress #CutsHurt

    May 2, 2023

    The nation could default on its debt as soon as June 1 if congressional leaders and the White House do not reach an agreement to lift the debt ceiling. Despite the likely harm posed by a default, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and fellow House Republicans say they will only lift the debt ceiling in exchange for steep cuts to domestic programs, including drastic cuts to HUD’s and USDA’s vital affordable housing and homelessness programs.

    It is critical for advocates to reach out to their members of Congress and urge them to oppose these harmful cuts.

    NLIHC invites advocates to join our Spring into Action campaign (May 8-19), a two-week mobilization to speak out against budget cuts and push for Congress to make necessary investments in housing and homelessness programs. During this period, we encourage advocates to creatively express the importance of federal housing resources and convey to their members of Congress the devastating toll that these cuts, if enacted, would take on their communities.

    Possible Spring into Action activities include creating a visual art piece, writing a haiku or other short poem, or recording a video. Post your work on social media using the hashtag #CutsHurt between May 8 and May 19, and be sure to tag your member of Congress and @NLIHC! You can also contact your members of Congress through NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center, with the option to customize the template email. If you have a multimedia piece that you would like to share with your congressional office, but cannot submit in the online form, please send it to [email protected].

    Background

    House Republicans voted to approve the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act” on April 26 to temporarily lift the debt limit in exchange for reducing fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending to FY22 levels and capping future spending increases at 1% annually for 10 years, which would result in at least a 23% reduction in funding for key housing and homelessness programs. According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, such cuts would “represent the most devastating impacts in HUD’s history” and “make it impossible to stave off mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households could lose HUD rental assistance, and nearly 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. The bill would also rescind unobligated COVID-19 relief funding and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.

    While the Republican bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate, its passage in the House puts more pressure on President Biden and Senate Democrats to negotiate with Speaker McCarthy over spending cuts to key programs. Congressional leaders must reach a deal to lift the debt ceiling by as soon as June 1, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or risk a default, which could cause widespread economic turmoil.

    Members of Congress must look beyond dollar amounts and grasp the human cost of the House Republicans’ proposal. Such steep budget cuts would make it much harder for people experiencing homelessness to find stable homes and put hundreds of thousands of the lowest-income renters at risk of eviction and homelessness. Housing lays the foundation for stability in all other aspects of life. Many households, if they were to lose HUD assistance, would struggle to put food on the table, stay healthy, and access employment and educational opportunities.

    Take Action TODAY!

    NLIHC encourages all advocates to contact their members of Congress and urge them to oppose House Republicans’ proposal to slash affordable housing and homelessness programs. Now is also the time to start planning creative advocacy opportunities for Spring into Action!

    Here are some additional resources to consider as you brainstorm your activities:

    • Check out NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” for talking points, sample social media messages, and more!
    • Have writer’s block? Use the prompts in NLIHC’s storytelling resource, “Storytelling Tips and Tricks,” to find a topic for your creative piece.
    • The White House published factsheets that detail the impact of House Republicans’ proposed budget cuts in each state, including the number of families that could lose rental assistance. You can highlight this number in your advocacy to emphasize the scale of the impact on constituents in your state.
    • A short poem, such as a haiku, is a succinct and creative way to convey your message to members of Congress. Here is a sample haiku: Affordable homes / Can’t be on the chopping block / Tell Congress: #CutsHurt!

    Post your work on social media using the hashtag #CutsHurt and #SpringIntoAction between May 8 and May 19, and be sure to tag your member of Congress and @NLIHC!

    In addition, advocates should weigh in with their congressional offices with the following actions:

    • Sign your organization on to the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF) annual budget letter, calling on Congress to reject spending cuts and instead provide the highest possible allocation for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in FY24.
    • Email your members of Congress today and urge them to increase – not cut – resources for affordable housing and homelessness in FY24 and to support NLIHC’s top appropriations priorities:
      • $32.7 billion for the TBRA program to renew existing vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 200,000 households.
      • $5.4 billion for public housing operations and $5 billion for public housing repairs.
      • $3.8 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program.
      • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
      • $3 billion for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program.
      • $300 million for the competitive tribal housing grants, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.

    Please reach out to the NLIHC Field Team at [email protected] with questions. Thank you for your advocacy!

    House Republicans Pass Disastrous Budget Proposal Gutting HUD Affordable Housing and Homelessness Programs – Take Action!

    April 27, 2023

    he U.S. House of Representatives passed yesterday a harmful budget proposal that would lift the debt ceiling in exchange for dramatic cuts to domestic spending, including funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs.

    It is unacceptable to balance the federal budget by slashing programs that help the lowest-income households survive. While the bill is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate, it is vital that advocates weigh in with their senators – regardless of political party – TODAY to urge them to oppose any cuts to key affordable housing and homelessness programs. Advocates can also join a “Spring into Action” mobilization effort between May 9 and May 18 to make your voice heard in Congress!

    Background

    The Republican proposal, known as the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act,” would cut federal domestic spending for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to FY22 levels, resulting in at least a 23% reduction in funding for key programs, depending on how cuts are designed. The proposal would also limit future spending increases to 1% annually for 10 years, rescind unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.

    In a letter outlining the potential impacts of the proposal, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge observed that if enacted, the cuts proposed in the bill would cause “mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households currently being served by HUD’s rental assistance programs could lose their assistance and up to 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. Without adequate funding for vital federal affordable housing and homeless assistance programs, millions of the lowest-income and most marginalized households would continue to experience homelessness or remain at risk, paying more than half their limited income on rent.

    The White House has also released state-by-state factsheets highlighting the devastating impacts of the proposed extreme budget cuts.

    While the Republican budget proposal will not pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, its passage in the House could give more leverage to Republicans in budget negotiations, which could lead to steep spending cuts for affordable housing and homelessness programs.  

    It is vitally important that you call your senator and demand that they vote “no” on this unacceptable proposal. Please also share this Call to Action with your networks!

    Start Planning Now! “Spring into Action” from May 8 to 19

    From May 8 to May 19, join NLIHC and “Spring into Action” with a two-week mobilization effort to oppose deep budget cuts and urge Congress to invest in affordable housing and homelessness programs at the scale needed!

    Be creative! Make a visual art piece, write a haiku, record a video, highlight data showing the impact of proposed cuts, or come up with your own idea to educate congressional leaders about why affordable housing and homelessness programs are important to your community and how the proposed budget cuts would harm your family and neighbors.

    Post your work on social media using the hashtags #CutsHurt and #SpringIntoAction between May 8 and May 19, and be sure to tag your member of Congress and @NLIHC!

    NLIHC is offering other resources you can use to start planning:
    • Use NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center to host an email campaign to send a message to members of Congress. The tool allows advocates to customize the email template with a poem or other creative written message.
    • Facing writer’s block? Use the prompts in NLIHC’s storytelling resource, “Storytelling Tips and Tricks,” to find a topic for your creative piece.
    • If you have a multimedia piece you would like to share with your congressional office but cannot submit via the online form, please send it to [email protected].

    Take Action TODAY!

    Here are some other ways to make your voices heard TODAY:
    • Sign your organization on to the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF) annual budget letter, calling on Congress to reject spending cuts and instead provide the highest possible allocation for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in FY24.
    • Email your members of Congress today and urge them to increase – not cut – resources for affordable housing and homelessness in FY24 and to support NLIHC’s top appropriations priorities:
      • $32.7 billion for the TBRA program to renew existing vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 200,000 households.
      • $5.4 billion for public housing operations and $5 billion for public housing repairs.
      • $3.8 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program.
      • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
      • $3 billion for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program.
      • $300 million for the competitive tribal housing grants, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
    • Check out NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” for talking points, sample social media messages, and more!

    NLIHC’s Diane Yentel Testifies in Support of Bipartisan Legislation Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis

    April 25, 2023

    NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs today at a hearing, “Building Consensus to Address Housing Challenges,” in support of bipartisan legislation to solve the affordable housing crisis.

    Appearing before the Committee along with two other witnesses – Lou Tisler, executive director of the National Neighborhood Watch Association, and Vanessa Brown Calder, the director of opportunity and family policy studies at the Cato Institute – Diane advocated for an array of bipartisan bills designed to ensure that the lowest-income and most marginalized renters have access to stable, safe, affordable housing.

    “Rents have skyrocketed, eviction filings are rising and surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and homelessness is increasing,” said Diane in her testimony. “The country’s lowest-income people are struggling to stay housed, and Congress’s inaction costs us all. But quick, bipartisan action by this Congress can – just as it did during the pandemic – save lives, save money, and provide housing relief for many. I urge this Committee and this Congress to act quickly and, at minimum, advance the multitude of bipartisan housing bills before us.”

    Two of the bipartisan bills that Diane advocated for – both championed by NLIHC’s Opportunity Starts at Home and HoUSed campaigns – were re-introduced yesterday: the “Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act,” introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN), and the “Fair Housing Improvement Act,” introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Representative Scott Peters (D-CA).

    The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act would create 250,000 new housing vouchers, paired with mobility-related services, to help low-income families with young children move to communities of their choice, including neighborhoods with high-performing schools and high-quality childcare and early education programs. Access to safe, affordable housing is linked to nearly every quality-of-life measure, including better educational and health outcomes, housing stabilityracial equity, and economic mobility.

    The Fair Housing Improvement Act expands housing choice by prohibiting housing discrimination by landlords on the basis of “source of income,” “military status,” and “veteran status.” While several states and localities have passed source-of-income protection laws, federal law does not provide protections against this type of discrimination, leaving half of all households with housing vouchers unprotected from discrimination.

    In addition to the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act and Fair Housing Improvement Act, Diane advocated for the bipartisan “Eviction Crisis Act.” Introduced in the last session by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Rob Portman (R-OH), the bill would create a new national Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF), a permanent program to stabilize households experiencing an economic shock before it can lead to housing instability and homelessness. In addition to the EAF, the Eviction Crisis Act would authorize grants to support landlord-tenant community courts, which offer mediation services to avoid the high cost of eviction and create a national database to track formal and informal evictions, helping researchers and policymakers better understand the breadth of the eviction crisis and craft solutions.
     
    “We urge this Committee and this Congress to quickly advance bipartisan housing bills that would have a measurable impact on the housing crisis,” said Diane. “Bills such as the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act, to provide 250,000 new Housing Choice Vouchers for families with young children; the Eviction Crisis Act, to continue the success of bipartisan ERA programs; and other bipartisan bills to improve and streamline existing housing programs, build housing for people with the lowest incomes, improve oversight of federal disaster resources, and increase access to fair and affordable housing.”


    Take Action!

    It is critical that Congress enact bipartisan legislation to address the affordable housing crisis! Advocates can support this legislation by urging their members of Congress to cosponsor the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act, Fair Housing Improvement Act, and Eviction Crisis Act and ensure these bills are included in any effort to advance housing legislation this year.
    • Support the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act here.
    • Support the Fair Housing Improvement Act here.
    • Support the Eviction Crisis Act here.

    Take Action Today! Congress to Vote on Disastrous Budget Proposal as Soon as Tomorrow! 

    April 24, 2023

    The U.S. House of Representatives will vote as soon as tomorrow on a harmful budget proposal that would lift the debt ceiling in exchange for dramatic cuts to domestic spending, including funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs.

    It is unacceptable to balance the federal budget by slashing programs that help the lowest-income households survive. Call your representative TODAY to urge them to oppose any cuts to key affordable housing and homelessness programs, and join a “Spring into Action” mobilization effort between May 9 and May 18 to make your voice heard in Congress!

    Background

    The Republican proposal, known as the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act,” would cut federal domestic spending for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to FY22 levels, resulting in at least a 23% reduction in funding for key programs, depending on how cuts are designed. The proposal would also limit future spending increases to 1% annually for 10 years, rescind unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.
    In a letter outlining the potential impacts of the proposal, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge observed that if enacted, the cuts proposed in the bill would cause “mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households currently being served by HUD’s rental assistance programs could lose their assistance and up to 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. Without adequate funding for vital federal affordable housing and homeless assistance programs, millions of the lowest-income and most marginalized households would continue to experience homelessness or remain at risk, paying more than half of their limited income on rent.

    The White House has also released state-by-state factsheets highlighting the devastating impacts of the proposed extreme budget cuts.

    While the Republican budget proposal will not pass the Democrat-controlled Senate, its passage in the House could give more leverage to Republicans in budget negotiations, which could lead to steep spending cuts for affordable housing and homelessness programs.  

    It is vitally important that you call your representative – whether Republican or Democrat – and demand that they vote “no” on this unacceptable proposal. Please also share this Call to Action with your networks!

    Start Planning Now! “Spring into Action” from May 8 to 19

    From May 8 to May 19, join NLIHC and “Spring into Action” with a two-week mobilization effort to oppose deep budget cuts and urge Congress to invest in affordable housing and homelessness programs at the scale needed!

    Be creative! Make a visual art piece, write a haiku, record a video, highlight data showing the impact of proposed cuts, or come up with your own idea to educate congressional leaders about why affordable housing and homelessness programs are important to your community and how the proposed budget cuts would harm your family and neighbors.

    Post your work on social media using the hashtags #CutsHurt and #SpringIntoAction between May 8 and May 19, and be sure to tag your member of Congress and @NLIHC!

    NLIHC is offering other resources you can use to start planning:
    • Use NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center to host an email campaign to send a message to members of Congress. The tool allows advocates to customize the email template with a poem or other creative written message.
    • Facing writer’s block? Use the prompts in NLIHC’s storytelling resource, “Storytelling Tips and Tricks,” to find a topic for your creative piece.
    • If you have a multimedia piece you would like to share with your congressional office but cannot submit via the online form, please send it to [email protected].

    Take Action TODAY!

    Here are some other way to make your voices heard TODAY:
    • Sign your organization on to the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF) annual budget letter, calling on Congress to reject spending cuts and instead provide the highest possible allocation for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in FY24.
    • Email your members of Congress today and urge them to increase – not cut – resources for affordable housing and homelessness in FY24 and to support NLIHC’s top appropriations priorities:
      • $32.7 billion for the TBRA program to renew existing vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 200,000 households.
      • $5.4 billion for public housing operations and $5 billion for public housing repairs.
      • $3.8 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program.
      • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
      • $3 billion for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program.
      • $300 million for the competitive tribal housing grants, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
    • Check out NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” for talking points, sample social media messages, and more!

    Take Action! House Republicans to Vote on Proposal to Slash Affordable Housing and Homelessness Programs

    April 19, 2023

    House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) pledged today to enact legislation to raise the country’s debt limit in exchange for steep spending cuts to domestic programs, including HUD’s and USDA’s vital affordable housing and homelessness programs.

    While details are not fully known, Speaker McCarthy’s proposal will likely cap federal domestic spending for fiscal year (FY) 2024 at FY22 levels, resulting in at least a 23% reduction in funding for key programs, depending on how the cuts are designed. The proposal would limit future spending increases to 1% annually for 10 years, rescind unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.
    The House is expected to vote on the harmful legislative package as soon as next week. Advocates should contact their representatives to urge them to oppose deep spending cuts and to support the highest level of funding possible for housing and homelessness programs.


    Take Action!

    It is unacceptable to balance the federal budget by slashing programs that help the lowest-income households survive. Without adequate funding for vital federal affordable housing and homeless assistance programs, millions of the lowest-income and most marginalized households will continue to experience homelessness or remain at risk, paying more than half of their limited income on rent.

    Advocates can take action TODAY in the following ways:

    • Sign your organization on to the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF) annual budget letter, calling on Congress to reject spending cuts and instead provide the highest possible allocation for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in FY24.
    • Email your members of Congress today and urge them to increase – not cut – resources for affordable housing and homelessness in FY24 and to support NLIHC’s top appropriations priorities:
      • $32.7 billion for the TBRA program to renew existing vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 200,000 households.
      • $5.4 billion for public housing operations and $5 billion for public housing repairs.
      • $3.8 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program.
      • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
      • $3 billion for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program.
      • $300 million for the competitive tribal housing grants, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
    • Check out NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit, “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing,” for talking points, sample social media messages, and more!

    Background


    Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans are calling for severe funding cuts to domestic programs, including affordable housing and homelessness programs, in the FY24 appropriations bill and beyond. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a legislative package that would dramatically cut domestic spending as soon as next week.

    While details are unclear, reports suggest that the Republican proposal will cap funding in FY24 at FY22 levels, resulting in an estimated $133 billion cut to domestic programs. Analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) notes that cutting funding to FY22 levels could result in a 23% reduction in funding for domestic programs if defense and veteran health programs are exempted. The proposal would also limit future spending increases to 1% annually for 10 years, rescind unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.

    In a recent analysis, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge stated that, if enacted, such a proposal would “represent the most devastating impacts in HUD’s history” and “make it impossible to stave off mass evictions.” Among other consequences, Secretary Fudge noted that the proposal would:

    • Eliminate Housing Choice Voucher funding for 350,000 families, increasing the likelihood these families will experience housing instability, evictions, and, in the worst cases, homelessness.
    • Eliminate funding for an estimated 87,000 families who rely on the Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program for housing assistance. Moreover, because PBRA helps finance housing maintenance and operations, terminating PBRA contracts would also likely lead owners to convert their affordable housing to market-rate housing, representing “an historically unprecedented loss of existing affordable housing.”
    • Cut funding for HUD’s homeless assistance programs, resulting in an estimated 78,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness receiving vital services from homelessness assistance programs, “likely leading to large increases in the number of people sleeping on the streets.”
    • Exacerbate the affordable housing crisis in Native communities by cutting significant funding from the Native American Housing Block Grants program, which finances the construction, operation, and preservation of affordable housing units on Tribal lands.
    • Increase low-income families’ exposure to lead and other health hazards by slashing funding from HUD’s Lead Hazard Controls and Healthy Homes programs, and reducing funding for HUD’s public housing operating funds.

    Call and email your members of Congress TODAY and urge them to reject this devastating proposal!

  • 2022

    Final FY23 Spending Bill: Advocates and Key Congressional Champions Secure Increased Funding

    December 20, 2022

    Congressional leaders released today a final fiscal year (FY) 2023 omnibus spending bill that includes significant funding for HUD’s housing and homelessness programs. Overall, the final spending bill provides HUD programs with $61.8 billion, or $8.1 billion more than FY22-enacted levels. At this amount, the final bill provides approximately $745 million more than the amount provided in the Senate proposal, and nearly $1 billion less than the amount provided in the House proposal. For more details on the FY23 spending bill, see NLIHC’s updated budget chart and full analysis.

    Both the House- and Senate-proposed FY23 budgets, released earlier this year, were negotiated with little to no Republican input. To enact a final FY23 bill, appropriations leaders in the House and Senate had to come to a bipartisan agreement on funding levels, which led to relatively low topline spending numbers for HUD programs.

    Despite the tighter toplines, advocates and key congressional champions were able to secure significant funding increases for HUD’s vital affordable housing programs. The increase in funding is due to the hard work of advocates across the nation and champions in Congress, including Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives David Price (D-NC) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittees.

    The final spending bill provides funding increases to many programs compared to FY22, including significant funding for NLIHC’s top priorities. But while the final FY23 spending bill provides meaningful increases for vital HUD programs, far more resources are needed to address the nation’s growing affordable housing and homelessness crisis. The bill does not include, for example, the House’s proposed expansion of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program to an additional 140,000 households. Without this expansion, Congress has missed a critical opportunity to help more households struggling to make ends meet in the wake of rising rents, increased evictions, and more homelessness.

    The final spending bill does not include a tax extenders package. Advocates had urged Congress to include a tax extenders package with an extension of the Child Tax Credit and provisions related to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). NLIHC advocated for pairing any expansion of LIHTC with key reforms to ensure the program better serves households with the greatest and clearest needs. Efforts to enact tax legislation will continue into 2023.

    Advocates should contact their representatives and senators and urge them to pass this final FY23 spending package as quickly as possible and thank them for their leadership in ensuring robust funding for housing and homelessness programs. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill as soon as today. The bill will then be voted on in the House of Representatives and head to the president’s desk for his signature before the current continuing resolution (CR) expires on December 23.

    Congress Reaches Agreement on Framework for Final FY23 Spending Bill – Take Action Today!

    December 14, 2022

    After delays and setbacks, congressional leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement on a framework for a final fiscal year (FY) 2023 spending package. While topline spending numbers have not been made public, appropriators are now making critical decisions about how much funding should be invested in HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing and homelessness programs.

    Advocates should contact their members of Congress today and urge them to enact an FY23 spending bill as soon as possible with significant increases to HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs!

    Background


    The FY23 spending bill is one of the last opportunities this year for Congress to make robust investments in affordable housing and homelessness programs. Congress must not pass up the chance to provide the significant funding needed to ensure the nation is moving towards safe, affordable, accessible housing for all.

    Both the House and Senate FY23 budget drafts provided increases to HUD’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs. However, the House proposal included $3 billion more in needed investments than the Senate’s proposal, including full funding to renew all Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 140,000 households with low incomes. In comparison, the Senate proposal provided funding to renew existing vouchers but would only expand the program by 5,000 new vouchers. See NLIHC’s full analysis of the House draft, the Senate draft, and our updated budget chart for more information.

    After months of delays, congressional leaders reached an agreement on December 13 for a framework for a final spending bill. Because appropriators will need more time to draft the legislation, Congress will pass a one-week continuing resolution (CR) before the current CR expires on December 16 to keep the government funded through December 23. Between now and then, appropriators will finalize decisions about spending levels for key programs, including HUD’s and USDA’s housing and homelessness programs.

    Your members of Congress need to hear from you! Advocates can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to call or email their members of Congress and urge them to enact an FY23 spending bill with significant increases to HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs. You can also use NLIHC’s Fall and Winter 2022 Advocacy Toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!

    Take action today!


    Contact your members of Congress and urge them to enact an FY23 spending bill with significant increases to HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs, including NLIHC’s top priorities:
    • Full funding for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program to renew all existing vouchers and to expand assistance to an additional 140,000 households.
    • $3.6 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program, to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
    • Full funding for the Public Housing Capital Fund to preserve public housing, and for the Public Housing Operating Fund.
    • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
    • $300 million for HUD’s competitive tribal housing program, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.

    Use NLIHC’s Take Action page to send an email to or call your members of Congress and demand they enact an FY23 budget with these vital resources!

    Take Action Today: Tell Congress to Enact an FY23 Spending Bill with Significant Funding Increases for HUD’s Affordable Housing and Homelessness Programs!

    December 7, 2022

    Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are still working to reach an agreement on a final spending bill for fiscal year (FY) 2023 before December 16, when the current continuing resolution (CR) expires. Lawmakers have until December 16 to extend the CR or pass a final spending bill, or they risk a shutdown of the federal government.

    It is critical that advocates urge their members of Congress to pass a spending bill as quickly as possible with significant increases to HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs!

    Background

    The FY23 spending bill is one of the last opportunities this year for Congress to make robust investments in affordable housing and homelessness programs. Congress must not pass up the chance to provide the significant funding needed to ensure the nation is moving towards safe, affordable, accessible housing for all.

    Both the House and Senate FY23 budget drafts provided increases to HUD’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs. However, the House proposal included $3 billion more in needed investments than the Senate proposal, including full funding to renew all Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 140,000 households with low-incomes. In comparison, the Senate proposal provided funding to renew existing vouchers but would only expand the program by 5,000 new vouchers. See NLIHC’s full analysis of the House draft, the Senate draft, and our updated budget chart for more information. 

    Congress passed a continuing resolution on September 30 to keep the government funded through December 16, and it will likely pass another short-term CR to extend the deadline to December 23 and give lawmakers more time to negotiate a final spending bill.

    There is growing pressure from some conservative members of Congress to delay the federal budget process into the new year, when Republicans will take control of the House. This could potentially result in deep cuts to domestic programs – including housing and homelessness programs – or a potential year-long CR.

    Long-term CRs have a drastic impact on affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs. Because CRs maintain a consistent level of funding for federal programs, and because the cost of housing and development are tied to market rates, which have risen dramatically over the last year, flat funding would act as a cut and reduce the number of households being served by these vital programs.

    Your members of Congress need to hear from you! Advocates can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to call or email their members of Congress and demand they enact an FY23 spending bill with significant increases to HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs. You can also use NLIHC’s Fall and Winter 2022 Advocacy Toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!
     

    Take Action Today!

    Contact your members of Congress and urge them to enact an FY23 spending bill by December 16 with significant increases to HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs, including NLIHC’s top priorities:

    • Full funding for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program to renew all existing vouchers and to expand assistance to an additional 140,000 households.
    • $3.6 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
    • Full funding for the Public Housing Capital Fund to preserve public housing, as well as for the Public Housing Operating Fund.
    • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
    • $300 million for HUD’s competitive tribal housing program, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.

    Use NLIHC’s Take Action page to send an email to or call your members of Congress and demand they enact an FY23 budget with these vital resources!

    House Passes FY23 Budget with 17% Increase for HUD’s Affordable Housing and Homelessness Programs

    July 19, 2022

    The U.S. House voted today to approve its fiscal year (FY) 2023 spending bill to provide nearly $63 billion for HUD’s vital affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs – a $9 billion (or 17%) increase from the previous year.

    If enacted, the House bill would substantially increase federal investments in housing assistance for those with the greatest needs. The bill includes a major expansion of Housing Choice Vouchers to an additional 140,000 households, which would put the nation on a path towards universal housing assistance for all eligible households, and nearly all other HUD programs would receive increased funding compared to last year. For full details, see NLIHC’s analysis and budget chart.

    While the Senate is slated to release its draft spending bills before the end of the month, NLIHC expects Congress will need to enact a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open past the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. Congressional leaders have not yet reached a bipartisan agreement on topline spending numbers, and a CR will provide more time to negotiate and enact final spending bills by the end of the year.

    Advocates should continue weighing in with their senators and representatives to urge them to expand investments in affordable, accessible homes through the FY23 spending bill, including NLIHC’s top priorities:

    • $32.13 billion for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program to renew all existing contracts and expand housing vouchers to an additional 200,000 households.
    • $5.125 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund to preserve public housing, and $5.06 billion for the Public Housing Operating Fund.
    • $3.6 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
    • $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
    • $300 million for the competitive tribal housing program, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.

    Advocates should also sign the national letter led by the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF), urging Congress to provide the highest level of funding possible for housing, homelessness, and community development.
     

    Negotiations on Reconciliation Bill Continue as Deadline Approaches – Take Action!

    June 29, 2022

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) are continuing to hold discussions about a revised reconciliation bill, but advocates are increasingly concerned that the House-passed $150 billion in investments for affordable, accessible housing – including significant funding for NLIHC’s top priorities – will be left out of the final package.

    The reconciliation package offers the best remaining chance this year for advancing the robust, long-term solutions necessary to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis. We must not miss this critically important opportunity!

    Contact your members of Congress TODAY to urge them to include in any reconciliation package long-term affordable housing investments targeted to those with the greatest needs, including for NLIHC’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to make critically needed repairs to public housing and preserve this valuable asset for its 2 million residents.
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Email, tweet, and call your representative and senators today and ask them to support targeted investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package! Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!

    Background

    Ever since Senator Joe Manchin announced late last year that he would not support the House-passed $1.75 trillion “Build Back Better Act,” leaders in Congress have been working to put together a legislative package that could win the support of Senator Manchin as well as his Democratic colleagues. Democratic members are hopeful that such an agreement is still possible, but time is quickly running out: Congress is out of session for most of August, and the current budget resolution expires on October 1.

    According to recent reports, the bill’s provisions are taking shape. President Biden has alluded to specific provisions supported by Senator Manchin that could be included in the bill, including a cap on the cost of insulin, reductions in prescription drug costs, energy-related tax breaks, a 15% minimum tax on corporations, and higher taxes for the “super wealthy.”

    But Congress and the Biden administration must also ensure that the package includes the historic investments in affordable, accessible housing that were part of the House-enacted bill. Such investments continue to be desperately needed: nationally, there is a shortage of nearly 7 million affordable, available rental homes for renters with the lowest incomes, and nearly 8 million extremely low-income renter households spend over half of their incomes on rent every month. Meanwhile, decades of federal disinvestment have resulted in the loss of between 10,000 and 15,000 units of public housing to obsolescence and disrepair every year, and Congress’s underfunding of housing solutions means that just one in four households eligible for housing assistance receives help. 

    Take Action Today!

    Email, tweet, and call your representative and senators today and urge them to support robust investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package!

    Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!

    Reconciliation Negotiations Continue as September 30 Deadline Draws Nearer – Take Action Today!

    June 22, 2022

    As high-level negotiations continue between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) on a revised reconciliation package, there is increasing concern that the House-passed $150 billion in investments for affordable, accessible housing – including significant funding for NLIHC’s top priorities – will be left behind.

    The reconciliation package is the last and best opportunity this year to advance the bold, long-term solutions needed to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis, and we cannot miss this critically important moment!

    Contact your members of Congress TODAY and urge them to include in any reconciliation package robust affordable housing investments targeted to those with the greatest needs, including NLIHC’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to make critically needed repairs to public housing and preserve this valuable asset for its 2 million residents.
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Email, tweet, and call your representative and senators today and urge them to support targeted investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package! Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!
     

    Background

    After centrist Democrat Senator Joe Manchin announced in December 2021 that he could not support the House-passed $1.75 trillion “Build Back Better Act” as it was currently written, congressional leaders have been working to find a compromise that can win the support of Senator Manchin and nearly all of his Democratic colleagues. While Democratic members remain hopeful that they will be able to enact an agreement, time is running out – Congress will be out of session for the majority of August, and the current budget resolution expires when the new fiscal year begins on October 1.

    Reports on the status of negotiations indicate the bill’s provisions are beginning to take shape. President Joe Biden hinted at some of the specific provisions he believes can be enacted, including capping the cost of insulin, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, providing energy-related tax breaks, and creating a 15% minimum tax on corporations as well as higher taxes for the “super wealthy” – all priorities that Senator Manchin has insisted on since negotiations restarted.

    The historic investments in affordable, accessible housing in the House-enacted bill are still desperately needed. Nationally, there is a shortage of nearly 7 million affordable, available rental homes for renters with the lowest incomes, with nearly 8 million extremely low-income renter households spending over half of their incomes on rent every month. Because of decades of federal disinvestment, our nation loses between 10,000 to 15,000 units of public housing to obsolescence and disrepair every year, and Congress’s consistent underfunding of housing solutions means that just one in four households eligible for housing assistance receives any help. 
     

    Take Action!

    Email, tweet, and call your representative and senators today and urge them to support robust investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package!

    Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!

    Take Action to Demand Targeted Affordable Housing Investments Stay in Any Reconciliation Package!

    June 13, 2022

    During an NLIHC-led HoUSed campaign call on June 6, Maxine Waters (D-CA), chairwoman of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, reported that centrist Senator Joe Manchin opposes including housing investments in a reconciliation bill, putting the investments at grave risk of elimination from the reconciliation package now being negotiated by Senator Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

    Contact your Members of Congress TODAY and urge them to include in any reconciliation package robust affordable housing investments targeted to those with the greatest needs, including NLIHC’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to make critically needed repairs to public housing and preserve this valuable asset for its 2 million residents.
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Email, tweet, and call your representatives today: use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!
     

    Background

    Ever since centrist Democrat Senator Joe Manchin announced in December 2021 that he would not support the House-passed $1.75 trillion “Build Back Better Act” as it passed through the House, Congressional leaders have been working to find a compromise that can win the support of Senator Manchin and nearly all of his Democratic colleagues.

    If a deal is possible, it will use a new framework suggested by Senator Manchin: increase federal revenues by raising taxes on corporations and high-income earners, create savings by reducing the costs of prescription drugs, and use the resulting resources to address the deficit, climate change, and inflation. Because the cost of housing is the single largest component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Congress can help address inflation and make housing affordable for people with the lowest incomes by including significant investments in housing in any reconciliation package.
     

    Take Action!

    Email, tweet, and call your representatives today and urge them to support robust investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package!

    Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!

    TODAY: Join NLIHC’s Call-In Day and Twitterstorm to Demand Targeted Affordable Housing Investments Stay in Any Reconciliation Package!

    June 7, 2022

    After months of delays, the White House, congressional leaders, and key senators have restarted negotiations over a scaled-down reconciliation package, which could include robust housing investments targeted to people with the lowest incomes.

    We cannot let this once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance the bold, long-term solutions needed to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis pass us by.

    Join us today (June 7) for a national call-in day and Twitterstorm at 1 pm ET to urge Congress to include in any reconciliation package robust affordable housing investments targeted to those with the greatest needs, including for NLIHC’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to make critically needed repairs to public housing and preserve this valuable asset for its 2 million residents.
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Email, tweet, and call your representatives today and urge them to support targeted investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package! Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!


    Background

    After centrist Democrat Senator Joe Manchin announced in December 2021 that he could not support the House-passed $1.75 trillion “Build Back Better Act” as it was currently written, congressional leaders have been working to find a compromise that can win the support of Senator Manchin and nearly all of his Democratic colleagues.

    If a deal is possible, it will likely use a new framework suggested by Senator Manchin: increase federal revenues by raising taxes on corporations and high-income earners; create savings by reducing the costs of prescription drugs; and use those resources to address the deficit, climate change, and inflation. Because the cost of housing is the single largest component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, Congress must include significant investments to make housing affordable for people with the lowest incomes and to help address inflation.

    The historic investments in affordable, accessible housing in the House-enacted bill are still desperately needed. Nationally, there is a shortage of nearly 7 million affordable, available rental homes for renters with the lowest incomes, with nearly 8 million extremely low-income renter households spending over half of their income on rent every month. Because of decades of federal disinvestment, our nation loses between 10,000 and 15,000 units of public housing to obsolescence and disrepair every year, and Congress’s consistent underfunding of housing solutions means that just one in four households eligible for housing assistance actually receives any help. 
     

    Take Action

    Email, tweet, and call your representatives today and urge them to support robust investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package!

    Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!

    Join June 7 Call-In Day and Twitterstorm to Demand Targeted Affordable Housing Investments Stay in Any Reconciliation Package!

    June 1, 2022

    After months of delays, the White House, congressional leaders, and key senators have restarted negotiations over a scaled-down reconciliation package that could include robust housing investments targeted to people with the lowest incomes.

    We cannot let this once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance the bold, long-term solutions needed to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis pass us by!

    Join us on Tuesday, June 7, for a national call-in day and Twitterstorm to urge Congress to include in any reconciliation package robust affordable housing investments targeted to those with the greatest needs, including funding for NLIHC’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to make critically needed repairs to public housing and preserve this valuable asset for its 2 million residents.
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Email, tweet, and call your representatives on June 7 and urge them to support targeted investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package! Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress.
     

    Background


    After centrist Democrat Senator Joe Manchin announced in December 2021 that he could not support the House-passed $1.75 trillion “Build Back Better Act” as it was currently written, congressional leaders have worked to find a compromise that can win the support of Senator Manchin and nearly all of his Democratic colleagues.

    If a deal is possible, it will likely use a new approach suggested by Senator Manchin: increase federal revenues by raising taxes on corporations and high-income earners; create savings by reducing the costs of prescription drugs; and use those resources to address the deficit, climate change, and inflation. Because the cost of housing is the single largest component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, Congress must include significant investments to make housing affordable for people with the lowest incomes and to help address inflation.

    The historic investments in affordable, accessible housing in the House-enacted bill are still desperately needed. Nationally, there is a shortage of nearly 7 million affordable, available rental homes for renters with the lowest incomes, with nearly 8 million extremely low-income renter households spending over half of their incomes on rent every month. Because of decades of federal disinvestment, our nation loses between 10,000 and 15,000 units of public housing to obsolescence and disrepair every year, and Congress’s consistent underfunding of housing solutions means that just one in four households eligible for housing assistance receives any help. 
     

    Take Action!



    Email, tweet, and call your representatives on June 7 and urge them to support robust investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation package!

    Use our call-in script and advocacy toolkit to help create your own message to Congress!

    Full Analysis of President Biden’s Proposed Increases to HUD FY23 Budget

    March 28, 2022

    President Joe Biden and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge released today their full fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget request for housing and community development programs. The request proposes to fund HUD programs at $71.9 billion in discretionary spending, approximately $12.3 billion more than the FY21 level, or $6.2 billion more than the final FY22 level. The proposed budget also includes $50 billion in mandatory and other federal investments for affordable housing. For full details, see NLIHC’s analysis and updated budget chart.

    President Biden and Secretary Fudge propose to significantly increase access to Housing Choice Vouchers by calling for $32.1 billion to renew all existing housing vouchers and to expand assistance to an additional 200,000 households. If enacted, this would be the most significant expansion of housing vouchers in the program’s history. The president’s budget also requests significant investments to address homelessness and to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing, including a proposed 11% increase for Homeless Assistance Grants, a 10% increase for public housing capital funding, and a 30% increase to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).

    Beyond appropriated funds, the budget calls for increasing housing supply through a combination of additional Low Income Housing Tax Credits and $35 billion in mandatory funding, including $25 billion for affordable housing production grants to state and local housing finance agencies and $10 billion for grants to help remove barriers to affordable housing development, including funding for housing-related infrastructure and zoning changes.

    The budget request is part of a larger effort by the Biden administration to invest in the country’s housing infrastructure. The “Build Back Better Act,” passed by the House in November 2021, includes a $150 billion investment in affordable housing, with significant funding for NLIHC’s top priorities: $25 billion to expand housing vouchers to an additional 300,000 low-income households; $65 billion to make critically needed repairs to public housing; and $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build, preserve, and operate an estimated 150,000 units of affordable, accessible housing. While the Build Back Better Act is stalled in the Senate and unlikely to advance further, congressional leaders and the White House continue to work to find agreement on a budget reconciliation package that can garner the support of all Democratic Senators. It is critical that targeted housing investments remain in any budget reconciliation bill that is enacted.

    Take Action

    Advocates should contact their senators and representatives to urge them to support the highest funding possible for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in the FY23 spending bill and any budget reconciliation package.

    FY23 Spending Bill:
    • Sign your organization on to a letter supporting the highest level of funding possible for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources in FY23.
    • Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to support NLIHC’s top priorities in FY23, including 1) an expansion of housing vouchers to an additional 200,000 households, (2) significant funding to preserve and operate public housing, (3) robust resources to address homelessness through Homeless Assistance Grants, (4) $150 million for the competitive tribal housing program targeted to tribes with the greatest needs, and (5) at least $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions, among other key priorities.
    Budget Reconciliation Bill:
    • Join over 1,800 organizations around the country in support of historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in any reconciliation bill that moves forward.
    • Your members of Congress need to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community and why they must remain in any budget reconciliation package.

    Take Action on FY22 Appropriations and Build Back Better!

    February 16, 2022

    Members of Congress are making crucial decisions about what to include in the overdue appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2022 and the scaled-back “Build Back Better Act.” Both bills present opportunities to significantly expand affordable housing resources for households with the lowest incomes.

    Leadership will make key decisions on the FY22 appropriations bill soon. The bill presents Congress with an immediate opportunity to make significant investments in affordable housing, including by expanding the Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) program to an additional 125,000 households with low incomes.

    The Build Back Better Act proposes an historic $150 billion investment in affordable housing, including significant funding for NLIHC’s top priorities: $25 billion to expand rental assistance to an additional 300,000 households; $65 billion to preserve public housing for the nation’s almost 2 million public housing residents; and $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to construct, preserve, and operate over 150,000 new units of affordable, accessible housing for households with the lowest incomes. If enacted, these provisions would be the largest single investment in our history in quality, affordable, accessible homes for the country’s lowest-income people.

    We cannot let Congress pass up these opportunities! Please contact your senators and representatives today and urge them to:

    1. Quickly enact an FY22 spending bill with the highest possible funding for affordable housing and community development programs, including the expansion of HCVs to an additional 125,000 households.
    2. Ensure critical housing resources remain in any budget reconciliation bill.
     
    Background
    Members of Congress are working to enact an overdue FY22 appropriations bill. Appropriations leaders in the House and Senate announced on February 9 they had reached a bipartisan agreement on a “framework” for the spending package, but decisions are still being made about how to divvy up funding among the 12 appropriations subcommittees. The House appropriations subcommittee bill includes a significant expansion of the HCV program to an additional 125,000 households and would provide an additional $7 billion for HUD programs over FY21 enacted levels. The Senate appropriations subcommittee bill would provide almost $1 billion less to HUD and would not include an HCV expansion.

    It is critical that advocates continue to urge members of Congress to protect and advance the historic affordable housing investments in the Build Back Better Act and the FY22 appropriations bill. As homelessness increases and millions of the lowest-income renters struggle to stay housed, we cannot let Congress miss these opportunities.

    Take Action!
    • Contact your members of Congress and urge them to quickly enact a final FY22 spending package with the highest possible funding for affordable housing and community development programs and to include the House’s proposal to expand Housing Choice Vouchers. 
    • Your members of Congress need to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community and why they must remain in any budget reconciliation package. Breaking housing investments off into a separate bill is unacceptable.

    Housing Investments at Risk in Build Back Better!

    January 26, 2022

    The Wall Street Journal and CNN are now reporting that the Build Back Better Act’s historic $150 billion investment in affordable housing is at risk of being eliminated!

    The bill currently includes funding for NLIHC’s top priorities, and, if enacted, would result in the largest single investment in quality, affordable, accessible homes for the country’s lowest-income people in history: $25 billion to expand rental assistance, $65 billion to preserve public housing, and $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund.

    We cannot let Congress neglect this opportunity! Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them to ensure these housing resources remain in any budget reconciliation bill moving forward.

    Background

    After President Biden announced his strategy of advancing and enacting a scaled-back version of the economic recovery package, the Wall Street Journal and CNN reported that housing investments may be cut. Parts of the bill that do not make it into a scaled-back version could be repackaged into stand-alone bills. These would require support from all Senate Democrats and at least 10 Senate Republicans, as well as separate floor time during an election year, ensuring virtually no chance of enactment this year.

    It is critical that advocates continue to urge members of Congress to protect and advance the bill’s historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund as part of any reconciliation bill that advances. 

    The House-passed Build Back Better Act includes funding for NLIHC’s top priorities:

    As homelessness increases and millions of the lowest-income renters struggle to stay housed, we cannot let Congress miss this moment of opportunity.

    Take Action!

    • Your members of Congress need to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community and why they must remain in any budget reconciliation package. Breaking housing investments off into a separate bill is unacceptable.
    • Join more than 1,800 national, state, and local organizations by signing onto the HoUSed campaign’s national letter in support of historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in a reconciliation bill.

    Tell Congress Historic Housing Investments Must be Included in any Reconciliation Bill that Advances!

    January 21, 2022

    This week, President Biden confirmed a strategy to advance and enact a scaled-back version of the “Build Back Better Act” to include only those components that can garner the support of – and cost within the total amount approved by - all Senate Democrats. This strategy comes after centrist Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced in mid-December his opposition to the economic recovery package as it was currently written, effectively killing the Build Back Better Act.

    Parts of the bill that do not make it into a scaled back version could be repackaged into stand-alone bills. These would require support from all Senate Democrats and at least 10 Senate Republicans, as well as separate floor time during an election year, ensuring virtually no chance of enactment this year.

    It is critical that advocates continue to urge your members of Congress to protect and advance the bill’s historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund as part of any reconciliation bill that advances. 

    As homelessness increases and millions of the lowest-income renters struggle to stay housed, we cannot let Congress miss this moment of opportunity.

    The House-passed Build Back Better Act includes the largest single investment in quality, affordable, accessible homes for the country’s lowest-income people in history:

    Take Action

    • Your members of Congress need to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community and why they must remain in any budget reconciliation package. Breaking off housing investments into a separate bill is unacceptable.
    • Join more than 1,800 national, state, and local organizations by signing onto the HoUSed campaign’s national letter in support of historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in a reconciliation bill.

    Urge Congress to Expand Housing Investments Through Build Back Better and FY22 Funding Bill!

    January 19, 2022

    In testimony today before a subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel will call on Congress to enact the “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act” (S.2471/H.R. 4707). This critical reform legislation would help ensure that federal disaster recovery efforts reach all impacted households, including the lowest-income and most marginalized survivors, who are often hardest hit by disasters and have the fewest resources to recover.

    Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor and quickly enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act.

    Background


    NLIHC has led advocacy efforts for equitable disaster housing recovery since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In recent years, the NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) has made clear to policymakers that America’s disaster housing recovery system is fundamentally broken and in need of major reform.

    At today’s hearing, NLIHC’s Diane Yentel will call on Congress to emphasize racial equity, as well as equity for all historically marginalized people, to ensure that affordable housing investments and federal disaster-recovery resources reach all impacted households. As a first step, she will urge Congress to enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, recently introduced by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Todd Young (R-IN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Representative Al Green (D-TX).
     
    If enacted, the legislation would permanently authorize HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and put in place important safeguards and tools to ensure that disaster recovery funds reach survivors with the greatest needs. The CDBG-DR program provides states, tribes, and communities with flexible, long-term recovery resources to rebuild affordable housing and infrastructure after a disaster. CDBG-DR is often one of the only recovery tools available to the lowest-income disaster survivors, but after past disasters vital resources have been diverted from the people and communities who need assistance the most.

    The reform bill includes many of the DHRC’s top priorities. The bill would:
    • Quickly target resources to those with the greatest needs by requiring federal recovery funds to be balanced between rebuilding infrastructure and housing; requiring housing funds to be spent proportionally between homeowners and renters; and directing grantees to prioritize serving extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income survivors, address pre- and post-disaster housing needs, and prepare for future disasters;
    • Prioritize data transparency and oversight by requiring public input and directing grantees to provide detailed plans for how they will serve low- and moderate-income survivors in the most impacted and distressed areas;
    • Protect fundamental civil rights and fair housing by requiring key information to be publicly available and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and all other protected classes; and
    • Promote disaster mitigation and resiliency.


    For more information on the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, see the DHRC’s factsheet.

    Read Diane Yentel’s testimony here.

    The best way for congressional leaders to enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act is by attaching it to a final Fiscal Year 2022 spending bill or other piece of must-pass legislation. It is critical for advocates to weigh in with their members of Congress and urge them to support enactment.
     

    Take Action 


    Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to quickly enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act (S.2471/H.R. 4707) to help ensure disaster recovery efforts serve the lowest-income and most marginalized disaster survivors.

    Urge Congress to Expand Housing Investments Through Build Back Better and FY22 Funding Bill!

    January 11, 2022

    Congress will make critical decisions this year about whether and how to invest in affordable housing through the “Build Back Better Act” and the fiscal year (FY) 2022 spending bill.

    Advocates should continue to urge their senators and representatives to use both pieces of legislation to expand housing resources for the lowest-income and most marginalized households in America.

    Build Back Better
    The Build Back Better Act is an historic economic recovery package that includes $150 billion for investments in affordable housing and community development programs, including significant funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top policy priorities:

    While the House of Representatives voted to approve the Build Back Better Act in November 2021, the bill stalled in the Senate after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced in late December that he would not support the recovery package as it is currently written. Congressional leaders are using a process called “budget reconciliation” to advance the bill, which allows Congress to enact legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the 60 votes typically required in the chamber. For the bill to move forward, it must garner the support of every Democratic senator.

    To gain Senator Manchin’s support, congressional leaders will make significant changes to the legislation. Any effort to reduce the size and scope of the economic recovery package puts affordable housing investments at risk of deep cuts or elimination.

    It is crucial that advocates continue to make their voices heard throughout the negotiation process to protect and advance the bill’s historic affordable housing investments. 

    FY 2022 Spending Bill
    Advocates should also urge their members of Congress to enact a final FY22 spending bill that includes the House proposal to expand Housing Choice Vouchers to an additional 125,000 households.

    The House spending bill, approved in committee in July 2021, would fund HUD programs at $56.6 billion, an increase of $6.8 billion above FY21. If enacted, the bill would provide significant funding increases to nearly all HUD programs and would expand rental assistance through the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program to an additional 125,000 households. The Senate proposal, however, would provide HUD approximately $1 billion less than the House proposal and does not include the major expansion of rental assistance.

    If Congress fails to authorize appropriations bills by February 18 when the current continuing resolution (CR) expires, it will need to enact another CR or face a government shutdown. Republicans in the Senate have threatened to move forward with a full-year CR, which would have harmful consequences for affordable housing and community development programs. Because the cost of housing and development programs are tied to market rates, which generally rise every year, flat funding acts as a cut and reduces the number of people being served.

    Take Action
    Congress must use every opportunity to move our nation towards universal, stable, and affordable homes for all. We cannot let lawmakers pass up this historic opportunity to make significant investments in affordable housing in both the Build Back Better Act and FY22 appropriations bill.

    Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to weigh in with congressional leaders, the White House, and key committees to: 

    1. Ensure the historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund remain in any final version of the Build Back Better Act, and
    2. Quickly enact an FY22 spending bill that includes the major expansion of housing vouchers included in the House bill.

    Ensure Historic Housing Investments Remain in Build Back Better!

    January 4, 2022

    President Biden and congressional leaders have pledged to restart negotiations on the “Build Back Better Act” after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) postponed a vote on the economic recovery package in late December. Every single Democratic senator and nearly all Democratic representatives are needed to enact this legislation and its historic investments in affordable housing.

    Your advocacy is needed, now more than ever. As negotiations continue, it is crucial that advocates continue to make their voices heard to protect and advance the bill’s historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund for those most in need. Email and call your senators today!

    Background

    The House of Representatives voted in November 2021 to approve the Build Back Better Act, an historic economic recovery package that includes significant investments in the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents; and
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Before the bill can be enacted into law, it now must be approved by the Senate, where the legislation must garner the support of every Democratic senator. Congressional leaders are using the “budget reconciliation” process that allows Congress to enact legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the typical 60 votes.

    Congress adjourned at the end of the year without voting on the economic recovery package after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) publicly stated that he does not support the legislation. To garner his support, congressional leaders will make significant changes to the legislation. Any effort to reduce the size and scope of the economic recovery package puts investments in affordable housing at risk of deep cuts or elimination. Senator Manchin proposed today to limit the bill to only the climate change provisions and to eliminate all other investments, including those in affordable housing.

    Congress needs to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.

    Take Action

    Please email and call your senators and urge them to ensure that any compromise legislation includes historic investments in affordable housing, including rental assistance, public housing and the Housing Trust Fund.

  • 2021

    2021 Calls to Action

    Tell Congress Historic Housing Investments Must be Included in any Reconciliation Bill that Advances!

    January 21, 2022

    This week, President Biden confirmed a strategy to advance and enact a scaled-back version of the “Build Back Better Act” to include only those components that can garner the support of – and cost within the total amount approved by - all Senate Democrats. This strategy comes after centrist Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced in mid-December his opposition to the economic recovery package as it was currently written, effectively killing the Build Back Better Act.

    Parts of the bill that do not make it into a scaled back version could be repackaged into stand-alone bills. These would require support from all Senate Democrats and at least 10 Senate Republicans, as well as separate floor time during an election year, ensuring virtually no chance of enactment this year.

    It is critical that advocates continue to urge your members of Congress to protect and advance the bill’s historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund as part of any reconciliation bill that advances. 

    As homelessness increases and millions of the lowest-income renters struggle to stay housed, we cannot let Congress miss this moment of opportunity.

    The House-passed Build Back Better Act includes the largest single investment in quality, affordable, accessible homes for the country’s lowest-income people in history:

    Take Action

    • Your members of Congress need to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community and why they must remain in any budget reconciliation package. Breaking off housing investments into a separate bill is unacceptable.
    • Join more than 1,800 national, state, and local organizations by signing onto the HoUSed campaign’s national letter in support of historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in a reconciliation bill.

    Urge Congress to Expand Housing Investments Through Build Back Better and FY22 Funding Bill!

    January 19, 2022

    In testimony today before a subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel will call on Congress to enact the “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act” (S.2471/H.R. 4707). This critical reform legislation would help ensure that federal disaster recovery efforts reach all impacted households, including the lowest-income and most marginalized survivors, who are often hardest hit by disasters and have the fewest resources to recover.

    Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor and quickly enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act.

    Background
    NLIHC has led advocacy efforts for equitable disaster housing recovery since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In recent years, the NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) has made clear to policymakers that America’s disaster housing recovery system is fundamentally broken and in need of major reform.

    At today’s hearing, NLIHC’s Diane Yentel will call on Congress to emphasize racial equity, as well as equity for all historically marginalized people, to ensure that affordable housing investments and federal disaster-recovery resources reach all impacted households. As a first step, she will urge Congress to enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, recently introduced by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Todd Young (R-IN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Representative Al Green (D-TX).
     
    If enacted, the legislation would permanently authorize HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and put in place important safeguards and tools to ensure that disaster recovery funds reach survivors with the greatest needs. The CDBG-DR program provides states, tribes, and communities with flexible, long-term recovery resources to rebuild affordable housing and infrastructure after a disaster. CDBG-DR is often one of the only recovery tools available to the lowest-income disaster survivors, but after past disasters vital resources have been diverted from the people and communities who need assistance the most.

    The reform bill includes many of the DHRC’s top priorities. The bill would:

    • Quickly target resources to those with the greatest needs by requiring federal recovery funds to be balanced between rebuilding infrastructure and housing; requiring housing funds to be spent proportionally between homeowners and renters; and directing grantees to prioritize serving extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income survivors, address pre- and post-disaster housing needs, and prepare for future disasters;
    • Prioritize data transparency and oversight by requiring public input and directing grantees to provide detailed plans for how they will serve low- and moderate-income survivors in the most impacted and distressed areas;
    • Protect fundamental civil rights and fair housing by requiring key information to be publicly available and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and all other protected classes; and
    • Promote disaster mitigation and resiliency.


    For more information on the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, see the DHRC’s factsheet.

    Read Diane Yentel’s testimony here.

    The best way for congressional leaders to enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act is by attaching it to a final Fiscal Year 2022 spending bill or other piece of must-pass legislation. It is critical for advocates to weigh in with their members of Congress and urge them to support enactment.

    Take Action 
    Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to quickly enact the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act (S.2471/H.R. 4707) to help ensure disaster recovery efforts serve the lowest-income and most marginalized disaster survivors.

    Urge Congress to Expand Housing Investments Through Build Back Better and FY22 Funding Bill!

    January 11, 2022

    Congress will make critical decisions this year about whether and how to invest in affordable housing through the “Build Back Better Act” and the fiscal year (FY) 2022 spending bill.

    Advocates should continue to urge their senators and representatives to use both pieces of legislation to expand housing resources for the lowest-income and most marginalized households in America.

    Build Back Better
    The Build Back Better Act is an historic economic recovery package that includes $150 billion for investments in affordable housing and community development programs, including significant funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top policy priorities:

    While the House of Representatives voted to approve the Build Back Better Act in November 2021, the bill stalled in the Senate after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced in late December that he would not support the recovery package as it is currently written. Congressional leaders are using a process called “budget reconciliation” to advance the bill, which allows Congress to enact legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the 60 votes typically required in the chamber. For the bill to move forward, it must garner the support of every Democratic senator.

    To gain Senator Manchin’s support, congressional leaders will make significant changes to the legislation. Any effort to reduce the size and scope of the economic recovery package puts affordable housing investments at risk of deep cuts or elimination.

    It is crucial that advocates continue to make their voices heard throughout the negotiation process to protect and advance the bill’s historic affordable housing investments. 

    FY 2022 Spending Bill
    Advocates should also urge their members of Congress to enact a final FY22 spending bill that includes the House proposal to expand Housing Choice Vouchers to an additional 125,000 households.

    The House spending bill, approved in committee in July 2021, would fund HUD programs at $56.6 billion, an increase of $6.8 billion above FY21. If enacted, the bill would provide significant funding increases to nearly all HUD programs and would expand rental assistance through the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program to an additional 125,000 households. The Senate proposal, however, would provide HUD approximately $1 billion less than the House proposal and does not include the major expansion of rental assistance.

    If Congress fails to authorize appropriations bills by February 18 when the current continuing resolution (CR) expires, it will need to enact another CR or face a government shutdown. Republicans in the Senate have threatened to move forward with a full-year CR, which would have harmful consequences for affordable housing and community development programs. Because the cost of housing and development programs are tied to market rates, which generally rise every year, flat funding acts as a cut and reduces the number of people being served.

    Take Action
    Congress must use every opportunity to move our nation towards universal, stable, and affordable homes for all. We cannot let lawmakers pass up this historic opportunity to make significant investments in affordable housing in both the Build Back Better Act and FY22 appropriations bill.

    Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to weigh in with congressional leaders, the White House, and key committees to: 

    1. Ensure the historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund remain in any final version of the Build Back Better Act, and
    2. Quickly enact an FY22 spending bill that includes the major expansion of housing vouchers included in the House bill.

    Ensure Historic Housing Investments Remain in Build Back Better!

    January 4, 2022

    President Biden and congressional leaders have pledged to restart negotiations on the “Build Back Better Act” after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) postponed a vote on the economic recovery package in late December. Every single Democratic senator and nearly all Democratic representatives are needed to enact this legislation and its historic investments in affordable housing.

    Your advocacy is needed, now more than ever. As negotiations continue, it is crucial that advocates continue to make their voices heard to protect and advance the bill’s historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund for those most in need. Email and call your senators today!

    Background

    The House of Representatives voted in November 2021 to approve the Build Back Better Act, an historic economic recovery package that includes significant investments in the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents; and
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Before the bill can be enacted into law, it now must be approved by the Senate, where the legislation must garner the support of every Democratic senator. Congressional leaders are using the “budget reconciliation” process that allows Congress to enact legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the typical 60 votes.

    Congress adjourned at the end of the year without voting on the economic recovery package after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) publicly stated that he does not support the legislation. To garner his support, congressional leaders will make significant changes to the legislation. Any effort to reduce the size and scope of the economic recovery package puts investments in affordable housing at risk of deep cuts or elimination. Senator Manchin proposed today to limit the bill to only the climate change provisions and to eliminate all other investments, including those in affordable housing.

    Congress needs to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.

    Take Action

    Please email and call your senators and urge them to ensure that any compromise legislation includes historic investments in affordable housing, including rental assistance, public housing and the Housing Trust Fund.

    The Fight Isn't Over: Take Action TODAY

    December 21, 2021

    Dear NLIHC members, partners, and allies:

    After almost a year of our collective advocacy for the $150 billion of historic affordable housing investments in the "Build Back Better Act", on Sunday Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) effectively killed the bill by announcing that he will not vote for the historic recovery package.

    But this fight isn’t over, and we are not giving up. The stakes, and the cost of inaction, are too high.

    The $150 billion in affordable housing and community development investments in the Build Back Better Act includes significant funding for NLIHC’s HoUSed campaign’s top policy priorities: $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households; $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents; and $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build or preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes.

    We cannot allow Congress to miss this opportunity to make the single largest investment in history in quality, affordable, accessible homes for the country’s lowest-income people.

    The White House and congressional leadership have pledged to continue working on Build Back Better until it is enacted. Senate Majority Leader Schumer said he will bring up the bill for a vote “in the new year.” As negotiations in the Senate continue, the bill will be significantly reworked and some priorities in the bill may be removed altogether. Already, Senator ManchinSenator Wyden and the House New Democrat Coalition have all shared separate compromise proposals. One thing they all have in common: zeroing out affordable housing investments (among many other things).

    This is unacceptable.

    We need your advocacy to ensure that housing investments aren’t dropped from a potential compromise bill, as they nearly were months ago. It is crucial that advocates continue to urge your members of Congress to protect the bill’s historic affordable housing investments!

    Email and call your senators TODAY and urge them to support the historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund in the Build Back Better Act! Use our toolkit for  talking points, sample tweets, draft op-eds, and more to spread the word and keep up the pressure!

    Thank you for your advocacy!


    Onward,

    Join December 17 Day of Action to Urge Your Senators to Pass the #BuildBackBetter Act!

    December 10, 2021

    Join NLIHC, the Coalition on Human Needs, and other advocates across the nation for a Digital Day of Action on Friday, December 17 to urge your senators to pass the “Build Back Better Act” and its unprecedented investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund! The Senate could vote on the bill as soon as the week of December 20, but congressional leaders must first secure the support of every single Democratic senator.

    Your advocacy is critically needed!

    We encourage all advocates to participate by emailing and calling your senators and posting on social media using the hashtag #BuildBackBetterAct. NLIHC’s HoUSed #BuildBackBetter Advocacy Toolkit includes talking points, sample op-eds, and social media messages that advocates can use.

    Background

    The House of Representatives voted on November 19 to approve the Build Back Better Act, an historic economic recovery package that includes significant investments in the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents; and
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Before the bill can be enacted into law, it now must be approved by Senate, where the legislation must garner the support of every single Democratic senator. Congressional leaders are using the “budget reconciliation” process that allows Congress to enact legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the typical 60 votes.

    Congressional leaders aim to pass the bill into law before Congress adjourns at the end of the year. Centrist Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ), however, have not yet publicly agreed to vote for the legislation, and there remains strong disagreement over the size and scope of the package.

    Because changes are expected before the bill goes to the Senate floor, the House will have to vote again to approve the updated legislation before it can go to the president’s desk for his signature. To pass the House again, nearly all Democratic representatives will need to vote for the legislation.

    Take Action on December 17

    • Email and call your senators and urge them to pass the #BuildBackBetter Act! Find the telephone number for your members of Congress here or send an email. Educate your members of Congress on why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.

    Urge your members of Congress to pass the #BuildBackBetterAct by tagging them on social media! Use NLIHC’s HoUSed #BuildBackBetter Advocacy Toolkit, which includes talking points, sample op-eds, and social media messages.

    Tell Your Senators to Pass ‘Build Back Better’ with Historic Investments in Affordable Housing

    December 09, 2021

    President Biden and congressional leaders are working to finish negotiations and secure the support of every single Democratic senator and nearly all Democratic representatives to enact the “Build Back Better Act” before the end of the year. The Senate could vote on the bill as soon as the week of December 20.  Your advocacy is critically needed! Email and call your senators TODAY and urge them to vote for the Build Back Better Act and its unprecedented investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund for those most in need!

    Background

    The House of Representatives voted on November 19 to approve the Build Back Better Act, a historic economic recovery package that includes significant investments in the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents; and
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Before the bill can be enacted into law, it now must be approved by Senate, where the legislation must garner the support of every single Democratic senator. Congressional leaders are using the “budget reconciliation” process that allows Congress to enact legislation with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the typical 60 votes.

    Congressional leaders aim to pass the bill into law before Congress adjourns at the end of the year. Centrist Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ), however, have not yet publicly agreed to vote for the legislation, and there remains strong disagreement over the size and scope of the package.

    Because changes are expected before the bill goes to the Senate floor, the House will have to vote again to approve the updated legislation before it can go to the president’s desk for his signature. To pass the House again, nearly all Democratic representatives will need to vote for the legislation.

    Congress needs to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.

    Take Action

    Please email and call your senators TODAY and urge them to support the Build Back Better Act and its historic investments in affordable housing, including rental assistance, public housing and the Housing Trust Fund.

    House Approves “Build Back Better Act” with Historic Housing Investments; Contact Your Senators!

    November 18, 2021

    The House of Representatives voted today  to approve the “Build Back Better Act, a $1.75 trillion economic recovery package that includes more than $150 billion in affordable housing investments!

    With today’s vote, Congress is one step closer to enacting this historic legislation, which includes robust funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: $25 billion to expand rental assistance to over 300,000 households; $65 billion to preserve the nation’s deteriorating public housing infrastructure; and $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes.

    Your advocacy is still needed! The bill is now slated for a vote in the Senate, where further changes to the bill are expected. Once approved by the Senate, the House will have to vote a second time to enact the legislation before it can go to the president for his signature.

    Email and call your senators and urge them to support the Build Back Better Act and its historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund!
     

    Background

    The House of Representatives voted today to approve the Build Back Better Act, a historic economic recovery package that includes significant investments in the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to more than 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents; and
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    Thanks to your sustained and effective advocacy, and to the leadership and dedication of Chairwoman Maxine Waters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Sherrod Brown, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other congressional leaders, Congress is one step closer to enacting critically needed housing investments for America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households.

    This is an extraordinary milestone – but more work is needed. Before the Senate can vote on the economic recovery package, President Biden, Senate Leader Schumer, centrist Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ), and other senators will need to reach an agreement over the size and scope of the Build Back Better Act. Any further cuts to the overall size of the Build Back Better Act could put the bill’s affordable housing investments at risk.

    Senate Leader Schumer has stated that a vote on the economic recovery package will take place in December. Because changes are expected when the bill goes to the Senate floor, the House will have to vote again to approve the updated legislation before it can go to the president’s desk for his signature. Congressional leaders hope to finish the process of passing the bill into law before Congress adjourns at the end of the year.

    To enact this ambitious legislation, however, President Biden and congressional leaders will need the support of every single Democratic senator and nearly all Democratic representatives. Congress needs to hear from you about why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.
     

    Take Action

    Please email and call your representatives and urge them to support the Build Back Better Act and its historic investments in affordable housing, including rental assistance, public housing and the Housing Trust Fund.

    Urgent! Contact Your Members of Congress on "Build Back Better"

    November 16, 2021

    The House may vote this week on the “Build Back Better Act, the $1.75 trillion economic recovery package that includes more than $150 billion in affordable housing investments. A previously scheduled vote was postponed after centrist Democratic members of Congress threatened to withhold support for the legislation.

    The Build Back Better Act includes significant resources for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: $25 billion to expand rental assistance to over 300,000 households; $65 billion to preserve the nation’s deteriorating public housing infrastructure; and $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes.

    Email and call your representatives and senators – especially centrist members of Congress – and urge them to vote “yes” on the Build Back Better Act and its historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund!

    Background

    Congressional leaders and progressive members of Congress are urging the House to hold a vote on the Build Back Better Act as soon as this week, but the fate of the legislation is unclear.

    Speaker Pelosi was recently forced to pull the legislation from the House floor, after centrist Democrats refused to vote in support of the legislative package until the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assesses the fiscal impact of the legislation. While some of these centrists agreed to vote on the final legislation this week if the CBO indicates the bill is deficit-neutral, there is no guarantee they will make good on this promise.

    As negotiations in Congress continue to drag out, passage of the historic legislation is at risk. It is critical that advocates urge their members of Congress – especially the more centrist representatives and senators – to vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act and the bill’s robust investments in affordable housing. To enact this ambitious legislation, President Biden and congressional leaders will need the support of every single Democratic senator and nearly all Democratic representatives.

    See a full list of top priority congressional targets here.

    Take Action Today!

    Please email and call your representatives and urge them to vote yes on the Build Back Better Act and its historic investments in affordable housing, including rental assistance, public housing and the Housing Trust Fund.

    Keep Up Your Advocacy for Build Back Better!

    November 10, 2021

    After centrist Democratic members of Congress threatened last week to withhold support for the “Build Back Better Act,” congressional leaders were forced to postpone a critical vote on the House floor on the $1.75 trillion economic recovery package. While some of these centrists indicated they are open to voting in support of final spending package, the fate of this legislation is unclear.

    The Build Back Better Act includes more than $150 billion in affordable housing investments, including significant resources for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: $25 billion to expand rental assistance to approximately 300,000 households; $65 billion to preserve the nation’s deteriorating public housing infrastructure; and $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes.

    Congress needs to hear from you! Email and call your representatives and senators – especially centrist members of Congress – and urge them to quickly enact the Build Back Better Act and its historic investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund!

    Background

    Last week, congressional leaders were forced to pull the Build Back Better Act from the House floor, after centrist Democrats refused to vote in support of the legislative package until the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) publishes an official assessment of the fiscal impact of the legislation. While some of these centrists agreed to vote on the final legislation the week of November 15 if the CBO indicates the bill is deficit-neutral, there is no guarantee they will make good on this promise. As negotiations in Congress continue to drag out, passage of the historic legislation is at risk.

    It is critical that advocates urge their members of Congress – especially the more moderate representatives and senators – to vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act and the bill’s robust investments in affordable housing. To enact this ambitious legislation, President Biden and congressional leaders will need the support of every single Democratic senator and nearly all Democratic representatives.

    Top targets include:

    • Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV);
    • Senator Krysten Sinema (D-AZ);
    • Representative Carolyn Bordeaux (D-GA);
    • Representative Ed Case (D-HI);
    • Representative Jared Golden (D-ME);
    • Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ);
    • Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-FL);
    • Representative Scott Peters (D-CA);
    • Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY);
    • Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR);
    • Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA); and
    • Other centrist Democrats in the House and Senate.

    See a full list of top priority targets here.

    Congress is on recess this week and the week of Thanksgiving, during which members of Congress will be home in their districts. Use NLIHC’s guidance for tips and ideas on in-district advocacy.

    The Build Back Better Act includes more than $150 billion in housing investments, including robust funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    • $25 billion to expand rental assistance to approximately 300,000 households. See how many vouchers your state would receive here.
    • $65 billion to preserve public housing for its 2.5 million residents; and
    • $15 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve over 150,000 affordable, accessible homes for households with the lowest incomes. See NLIHC’s breakdown of how much each state would receive through the Housing Trust Fund here.

    For more details of the housing investments in the bill, see NLIHC’s full analysis here.

    Take Action

    Please email and call your representatives and urge them to vote yes on the Build Back Better Act and its historic investments in affordable housing, including rental assistance, public housing and the Housing Trust Fund.

    President Biden, Congressional Leaders Consider Deep Cuts to Housing in ‘Build Back Better Act’

    October 20, 2021

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    President Biden and congressional leadership are negotiating deep cuts to the “Build Back Better Act” and considering gutting housing funding from $327 billion to $100 billion or less - squandering this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end homelessness and put our nation on a path to housing stability and equity for all.

    Let’s be clear: slashing critically needed and long-overdue housing investments for America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households is unacceptable.

    NOW MORE THAN EVER, we need your help protect these essential and targeted investments:

    • $90 billion to expand rental assistance to 1 million of the lowest-income households; 
    • $80 billion to repair and preserve public housing for over 2.5 million renters; and
    • $37 billion for the national Housing Trust to build and preserve 330,000 rental homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    Any cuts to funding for these priority programs means fewer people safely and affordably housed.

    Take Action!

    1. Contact your senators and representative TODAY and urge them to call President Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer to urge that any cuts to the Build Back Better Act aren’t made at the expense of housing our country’s lowest-income and most marginalized people.  
    2. Join more than 1,700 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letterSign on to the letter here.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Senate Committee Proposes FY22 Funding Increases for Affordable Housing

    October 19, 2021

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    The Senate Appropriations Committee released today its Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) spending bill for fiscal year (FY) 2022, which provides critical funding for affordable housing programs.

    Overall, the bill increases funding for HUD programs in FY22, although at levels lower than those proposed in the House. The Senate bill funds HUD at $65.4 billion, or $5.7 billion above FY21 enacted levels. Unfortunately, the Senate bill does not include the major expansion of rental assistance proposed by both President Biden and the House.

    For more details on the FY22 spending bills, see NLIHC’s updated budget chart and full analysis.

    Now that the Senate has released its proposal, congressional leaders will work to negotiate final spending bills for the upcoming fiscal year. A continuing resolution (CR) is currently in effect until December 3; at that time, Congress will need to either extend the CR or pass final spending bills to avoid a partial or full government shutdown.

    Advocates should continue to contact your senators and representatives to urge them to pass bolder investments in deeply affordable, accessible homes by providing the highest level of funding possible in both the FY22 spending bill (at the House of Representative’s level of funding) and in the “Build Back Better Act,” which includes NLIHC’s HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: $90 billion for rental assistance, $80 billion to preserve public housing, and $37 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    Take Action!

    1. Sign your organization to a letter supporting increased funding in FY22 for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources.
    2. Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to support the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in the Build Back Better Act.
    3. Sign the HoUSed campaign’s national letter calling on Congress to enact long-term solutions to the housing crisis.

    New Op-ed: Seizing a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity to End Homelessness in the U.S.

    October 14, 2021

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    The Hill published a joint op-ed by NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel and National Alliance to End Homelessness President and CEO Nan Roman urging President Biden and Congress to protect targeted and critical housing investments in the Build Back Better Act, and to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end homelessness in the U.S. by building new homes affordable for people with the lowest incomes, repairing public housing, and paving the path to universal rental assistance for everyone in need.

    The national shortage of affordable housing and resulting homelessness have been growing since the early 1980s. Congress is now considering historic legislation with funding at the scale necessary for long-term housing solutions. These investments are long-overdue and much needed, but they are currently at risk in the negotiations on the overall size of the reconciliation bill.

    “Any cuts to the Build Back Better Act must not come at the expense of housing our country’s lowest income people, and housing investments must be deeply targeted towards those with the greatest needs,” stated Diane and Nan in the joint op-ed. “Affordable homes are essential to thriving individuals, families, communities, and the nation. They are essential to ending widespread homelessness.”  

    Take Action!

    Today! Take Action on Dear Colleague Letter to Protect Key Housing Investments in “Build Back Better Act”!

    October 05, 2021

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    President Biden and congressional leaders are working to reach an agreement with moderate Democrats to drastically cut the “Build Back Better Act” from $3.5 trillion to as little as $1.5 trillion. The $327 billion in affordable housing investments included in the economic recovery package are at risk!

    In response to these threats, Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) is circulating a Dear Colleague Letter, urging Congress to ensure that any cuts to the Build Back Better Act do not come at the expense of affordable, accessible homes for America’s lowest-income and most marginalized people. The letter calls on Congress to fully fund in the final package the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: $90B for rental assistance, $80B for public housing, and $37B for the national Housing Trust Fund.

    Take action today to ensure that Congress does not waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end homelessness!

    Take Action NOW!

    Background

    House and Senate leaders hope to enact the Build Back Better Act by October 31, but key decisions will be made in the coming days and weeks. President Biden, congressional leaders, and moderate Democrats could reach an agreement as soon as this week on a new topline amount for the Build Back Better Act. Any cuts to the overall economic recovery package put the bill’s $327 billion in affordable housing investments at risk.

    The Build Back Better Act currently includes the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    Taken together, these investments could effectively end homelessness in the United States. Any cuts to funding for these priority programs means fewer people safely and affordably housed.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Immediate Action Needed: Protect Housing for People Most in Need in “Build Back Better Act”!

    October 04, 2021

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    President Biden and congressional leaders are crafting an agreement with moderate Democrats to drastically cut the “Build Back Better Act” economic recovery package. The Washington Post reports today that “the administration’s housing proposal, which called for more than $300 billion to build or retrofit over three million housing units, may prove among the first to hit the cutting room floor.”

    We can’t let them squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end homelessness!

    TAKE ACTION NOW  to ensure that any cuts made to the overall package do not come at the expense of getting and keeping the country’s lowest income people housed.

    The Build Back Better Act's $327 billion for affordable housing includes:

    1. Urge your senators to sign on to the Dear Colleague Letter from Senators Merkley, Padilla, and Feinstein in support of housing investments. Senate offices can sign on by contacting Matt Traylor in Senator Merkley’s office TODAY, October 14. ([email protected]).
    2. Urge your representatives to sign on to a Dear Colleague Letter in the House of Representatives to show their support for these essential investments to end homelessness. Members of Congress can sign on by contacting Aaron Groce in Representative Ritchie Torres’s office ([email protected]) by noon tomorrow, October 15.
    3. Join the more than 1,700 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letterSign on to the letter here.
      1. Urge your senators and representatives to sign onto the Dear Colleague Letter from Congressmember Torres to show their support for the HoUSed campaign’s prioritiesMembers of Congress can sign on by contacting Aaron Groce in Representative Torres’s office ([email protected]) by noon on Friday, October 8.
      2. Contact your senators and representatives TODAY and urge them to provide the highest funding possible for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in Build Back Better Act. Educate your members of Congress on why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.
      3. Join 1,600 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letter Sign on to the letter here.
      • $90 billion to expand rental assistance to 1 million of the lowest-income households; 
      • $80 billion to repair and preserve public housing for over 2.5 million renters; and
      • $37 billion for the national Housing Trust to build and preserve 330,000 rental homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.
      • $90 billion to expand rental assistance to 1 million of the lowest income households; 
      • $80 billion to repair and preserve public housing for over 2.5 million renters; and
      • $37 billion for the national Housing Trust to build and preserve 330,000 rental homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.
    4. Taken together, these investments could effectively end homelessness in the United States. Any cuts to funding for these priority programs means fewer people safely and affordably housed.

      Take Action NOW

      1. Contact your senators and representatives TODAY and urge them to provide the highest funding possible for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in Build Back Better Act. Educate your members of Congress on why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.
      2. Join nearly 1,600 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letter Sign on to the letter here.

      Thank you for your advocacy!

    Take Action: House Budget Committee Advances “Build Back Better Act,” with Full House Vote as Soon as the Coming Week

    September 14, 2021

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    The House Budget Committee voted today to advance the “Build Back Better Act,” a $3.5 trillion comprehensive infrastructure and economic recovery package, to the House Rules Committee in preparation for a full vote on the House floor. The full vote in the House could take place as soon as the coming week.

    While today’s vote was procedural and did not allow members to make any substantive changes to the bill text, the Rules Committee may make sweeping changes to the bill, including major cuts in funding. Any reduction to the “Build Back Better Act” could result in harmful cuts to the $327 billion proposed for affordable housing currently in the bill and put at risk the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: $90 billion for rental assistance, $80 billion to preserve public housing, and $37 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to ensure that any reduction to the “Build Back Better Act” does not come at the expense of proven housing solutions for those with the greatest needs and to prioritize the highest level of funding possible for rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund.

    Background

    The House Financial Services Committee voted on September 14 to approve legislation to invest $327 billion in affordable housing through a $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” reconciliation bill, which could pass in the Senate with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes required for other legislation. The bill was drafted by the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.

    Before the bill is brought up for a vote on the House floor – potentially as soon as the coming week – congressional leaders must make changes to garner enough support among House and Senate moderates, who threaten to vote against the bill unless the overall size of the package is reduced. To enact the bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi can afford to lose only three votes from House Democrats, and every Senate Democrat must vote for the legislation.

    The bill currently includes $327 billion in affordable housing investments, including robust funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities:

    • $90 billion for rental assistance, including $75 billion for Housing Choice Vouchers and $15 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance. See the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ state-by-state breakdown of how many people would be assisted through this voucher expansion; 
    • $80 billion to preserve public housing; and
    • $37 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund (as a set-aside within the HOME Investment Partnership Program). See NLIHC’s state-by-state estimate of this investment.

    Read NLIHC’s full analysis of the legislation here.

    It is critical that Congress use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to prioritize investing in decent, accessible affordable housing for those with the greatest, clearest needs – people experiencing homelessness and people with the lowest incomes. If done right, investments in this bill could effectively end homelessness in the U.S.

    Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to ensure that any cuts to the Build Back Better Act do not come at the expense of proven housing solutions for those with the greatest needs and to provide the highest possible funding levels for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities.

    Take Action

    1. Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to provide the highest funding possible for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in Build Back Better Act. Educate your members of Congress on why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.
    2. Join nearly 1,600 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letterThis letter is one of the most effective ways to show congressional leaders the broad support for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities for the infrastructure/economic recovery bill.  Sign on to the letter here.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Take Action: House Committee Approves Major Housing Investments

    September 14, 2021

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    The House Financial Services Committee just voted 30 to 24 to approve legislation to invest $327 billion in affordable housing, including significant funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: $90 billion for rental assistance, $80 billion to preserve public housing, and $37 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes. Read NLIHC’s full analysis of the legislation here.

    With today’s vote, we are one step closer to enacting these long overdue and much needed investments, but we have more work ahead of us! The infrastructure bill will now be combined with legislation from other committees into a larger budget reconciliation package and receive a vote on the House floor by the end of the month. After passage in the House, the bill will head to the Senate for consideration.

    Advocates should continue to contact their senators and representatives and urge them to quickly enact the infrastructure and economic recovery package and to prioritize the highest level of funding possible for rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund.

    Take Action

    1. Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to include the highest funding level possible for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in the infrastructure and economic recovery package. 
    2. Join more than 1,400 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letter.

    Thank you for you advocacy!

    Take Action: House Releases Landmark Legislation with Major Housing Investments!

    September 9, 2021

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    The House Financial Services Committee released today landmark legislation investing more than $330 billion in affordable housing as part of a $3.5 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery package!

    Thanks to your sustained and effective advocacy, and to the leadership and dedication of Chairwoman Maxine Waters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Sherrod Brown, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other congressional leaders, the bill includes robust funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities including $90 billion for rental assistance, $80 billion to preserve public housing, and $37 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    This is an extraordinary milestone – but we have further to go to achieve these long overdue and much needed investments!

    Advocates should continue to contact their senators and representatives and urge them to quickly enact the infrastructure and economic recovery package and to prioritize the highest level of funding possible for rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund.

    Background

    The House Financial Services Committee has released legislation to invest more than $330 billion in affordable housing through a $3.5 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery reconciliation bill, which could pass in the Senate with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes required for other legislation. The bill was drafted by the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking and Housing Committee.

    The legislation invests robust funding in the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities. The bill includes:

    • $90 billion for rental assistance, including $75 billion for Housing Choice Vouchers and $15 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance;
    • $80 billion to preserve public housing; and
    • $37 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund (as a set-aside within the HOME Investment Partnership Program).
    The bill also includes, among other investments:
    • $35 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program;
    • $9.6 billion for a new “Housing Investment Fund” through the Capital Magnet Fund;
    • $10 billion to address lead hazards and ensure healthy housing;
    • $10 billion for down payment assistance;
    • $8.5 billion for Community Development Block Grants;
    • $7.5 billion for a Community Restoration and Revitalization Fund
    • $6 billion for green preservation of HUD multifamily housing;
    • $4 billion to address health and safety concerns in HUD homes;
    • $5.1 billion for rural housing;
    • $4.5 billion to address zoning barriers to affordable housing;
    • $2.5 billion for Section 202 Housing for the Elderly;
    • $1 billion for Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities;
    • $2 billion for tribal housing; and
    • $1.25 billion for fair housing activities.

    Read NLIHC’s full analysis of the legislation here.

    It is critical that Congress use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to prioritize investing in decent, accessible affordable housing for those with the greatest, clearest needs – people experiencing homelessness and people with the lowest incomes. If done right, investments in this bill could effectively end homelessness in the United States.

    Advocates should urge their senators and representatives to provide the highest possible funding levels for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: expanded rental assistance for those most in need; preservation of public housing; increased investments in the national Housing Trust Fund to build and operate rental homes for people with the lowest incomes.

    The House Financial Services Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill on September 13, before it is combined into a larger infrastructure and economic recovery package for a vote on the House floor by the end of the month. Democratic leaders are working to enacted the bill by mid-October.

    Take Action

    1. Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to include full funding for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in the infrastructure and economic recovery package. Educate your members of Congress on why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.
    2. Join more than 1,300 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letter. This letter is one of the most effective ways to show congressional leaders the broad support for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities for the infrastructure/economic recovery bill.  Sign on to the letter here.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    URGENT: Take Action – Congress Is Finalizing Key Details in Infrastructure and Economic Recovery Package

    September 2, 2021

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    The House and Senate are currently determining how to invest more than $330 billion in affordable housing as part of its $3.5 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery bill. Congress needs to hear from you NOW! 

    This bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to begin to end homelessness and housing poverty in America, but ONLY if Congress includes the targeted investments called for by over 1,300 organizations in the HoUSed campaign: investing $45 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund; $180 billion to expand rental assistance for those most in need; and $70 billion to preserve public housing.

    Background

    The Senate Banking and Housing Committee and House Financial Services Committee are working to finish writing legislation to invest more than $330 billion in affordable housing through a $3.5 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery reconciliation bill, which could pass in the Senate with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes required for other legislation.

    It is critical that Congress use this opportunity to prioritize investing in decent, accessible affordable housing for those with the greatest, clearest needs – people experiencing homelessness and people with the lowest incomes.

    To ensure these investments are used to help end homelessness and housing poverty in America, advocates should urge their senators and representatives to include full funding for the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: investing $180 billion to expand rental assistance for those most in need, providing $70 billion to preserve public housing, and investing $45 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund to build and operate rental homes for people with the lowest incomes.

    The HoUSed campaign works to achieve the large-scale, sustained investments and anti-racist reforms necessary to ensure renters with the lowest incomes have stable, accessible, affordable homes. This infrastructure and economic recovery package is our first and best opportunity to advance our priorities, including expanding rental assistance, repairing public housing, and investing in the national Housing Trust Fund to build apartments affordable to the lowest-income people.

    The House Financial Services Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill on September 13, before it is combined into a larger infrastructure and economic recovery package for a vote on the House floor by the end of the month. Democratic leaders expect the bill to be enacted and signed into law by mid-October.

    Take Action TODAY!


    We need advocates to take action:
    1. Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to include full funding for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in the infrastructure and economic recovery package. Educate your members of Congress on why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community.
    2. Join more than 1,300 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letter. This letter is one of the most effective ways to show congressional leaders the broad support for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities for the infrastructure/economic recovery bill.  Sign on to the letter here.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Take Action: House Approves Budget Resolution Setting Stage for $339 Billion in Affordable Housing Investments

    August 24, 2021

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    The House voted 220 - 212 today to approve a budget resolution, setting the stage for a $3.5 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery package, including up to $339 billion in investments to get and keep low-income people housed.  
     
    Now that the House and Senate have approved the budget resolution, the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee will begin drafting legislation to divvy its allocation among the various programs. With your advocacy, we can ensure that this once-in-a-generation investment includes the #HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: expanding rental assistance with $180 billion phased in over ten years, providing $70 billion to preserve public housing, and investing $45 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund. Together, these resources will help ensure that America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households have a safe, accessible, and affordable home.

    Background

    The HoUSed campaign works to achieve the large-scale, sustained investments and anti-racist reforms necessary to ensure that renters with the lowest incomes have stable, accessible, affordable homes. An infrastructure and economic recovery package is our first and best opportunity to advance the HoUSed campaign priorities, including expanding rental assistance, repairing public housing, and investing in the national Housing Trust Fund.
     
    The budget resolution was first approved by the Senate on August 13. With the House’s vote today, each committee – including the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee – will begin drafting legislation to dedicate funding to various programs. Congressional Democrats hope to vote on the bills in committee by mid-September.
     
    The allocation for affordable housing investments included in the budget resolution could allow for robust housing investments in line with or even above the $318 billion proposed for housing programs by President Biden in his “American Jobs Plan” (which the administration increased from an initial proposal of $213 billion, thanks to the hard work and tenacity of affordable housing and homelessness advocates). President Biden’s $318 billion included $105 billion in housing-related tax provisions and $213 billion in direct investments. Because the jurisdiction of each committee differs slightly, the overall allocation for housing is different in the House ($339 billion) and Senate version ($332 billion) of the budget resolution.

    Take Action

    You can help build support for these essential investments:

    1. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to include the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in the infrastructure and economic recovery package. Educate your members of Congress on why investments in rental assistance, public housing, and the Housing Trust Fund are critical to your community. Learn how to contact your members of Congress at: https://www.govtrack.us/. NLIHC created a media toolkit you can use! It includes talking points, sample op-eds, and social media messages.
    2. Join more than 1,000 organizations nationwide by signing the HoUSed campaign letter and circulating it among your networks. This letter is one of the most effective ways to show congressional leaders the broad support for the HoUSed campaign’s priorities for the infrastructure/economic recovery bill.

    Take Action: Senate Approves Budget Resolution Calling for $332 Billion for Housing & Transportation

    August 11, 2021

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    The Senate voted 50-49 early this morning to approve a budget resolution that sets the stage for a $3.5 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery package, including investments up to $332 billion for housing and transportation. We haven’t been this close to major investments in affordable housing in a generation!

    There is still so much more work ahead of us, and the time for action is NOW! While the House of Representatives is slated to return to Washington on August 23 to vote on the budget resolution, the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee are already starting to draft legislation to divvy up these funds among various housing and transportation programs.

    We need your help to ensure that any infrastructure and economic recovery package includes the #HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: expanding rental assistance, providing $70 billion to preserve public housing, and investing $45 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund (HTF). Together, these resources will help ensure that America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households have safe, accessible, and affordable homes.

    Background

    The #HoUSed campaign works to achieve the large-scale, sustained investments and anti-racist reforms necessary to ensure that renters with the lowest incomes have stable, accessible, affordable homes. An infrastructure and economic recovery package is our first – and best – opportunity to advance the #HoUSed campaign priorities, including expanding rental assistance, repairing public housing, and investing in the national Housing Trust Fund – at the scale necessary.

    The budget resolution, approved today by the Senate, calls for more than $332 billion for housing and transportation investments in an infrastructure package. The House will return to Washington to vote on the resolution on August 23. Each committee in Congress – including the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee – will draft legislation to divvying up its allocation among various programs.

    The allocation for housing and transportation investments included in the budget resolution could allow for robust housing investments in line with or even above the $318 billion proposed for housing programs by President Biden in his “American Jobs Plan” (which the administration increased from an initial proposal of $213 billion, thanks to the hard work and tenacity of affordable housing and homelessness advocates). President Biden’s $318 billion included $105 billion in housing-related tax provisions and $213 billion in direct investments.

    Take Action

    Help build support for the #HoUSed campaign:

    1. Join more than 1,000 organizations nationwide by signing the #HoUSed campaign petition and by circulating it among your networks. This letter is one of the most effective ways to show congressional leaders the broad support for the #HoUSed campaign’s long-term policy agenda, and we regularly share this letter with members of Congress to make the case for the #HoUSed campaign’s priorities for the infrastructure/economic recovery bill.
    2. Use August Recess to keep up the pressure on Congress. During August recess, members of Congress will be home in their states and districts. The recess is the perfect opportunity for housing advocates to build congressional support for the #HoUSed campaign’s infrastructure priorities. During this time, you can:
      • Attend townhalls and ask questions to your members of Congress about their support for these investments.
      • Meet with your members of Congress or their staff in-district and urge them to support these investments.
      • Invite your members of Congress to a tour of a housing development supported with resources from the national Housing Trust Fund, or public housing in need of repairs. Invite them to meet households who are using or are in need of rental assistance.
      • Publish op-eds and letters-to-the-editor calling for investments in the HTF, public housing, and rental assistance. Once published, share them with your members of Congress.
      • Regularly engage with members of Congress on the long-term housing needs in your community and why these investments are so needed.

    NLIHC created a media toolkit you can use! It includes talking points, sample op-eds, and social media messages. As always, NLIHC staff are ready to help you.

    CDC Announces Eviction Moratorium Through October 3!

    August 3, 2021

    The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that it will issue a limited eviction moratorium – starting today through October 3 – for renters living in communities experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases!

    President Biden’s bold action and leadership in this moment of crisis will protect lives, and the new eviction moratorium is a major victory for renters and their allies!

    The announcement would not have been possible without the extraordinary dedication and tireless work of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA), Representative Cori Bush (D-MO), and other congressional champions, and of thousands of housing and homelessness advocates, including NLIHC’s partners and allies across the country. After the Biden administration stated on July 29 that it would not extend the federal eviction moratorium, Speaker Pelosi and Chair Waters led a fierce effort to enact legislation to extend the moratorium, but the measure failed to garner the support necessary. Since that time they and others, especially members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, kept up their demand that the Biden administration use every authority to extend the protection for renters.

    The announcement also comes one day after the Biden administration announced additional steps it will take to protect renters and prevent evictions during the pandemic, including those recommended by NLIHC and the National Housing Law Project.

    The new eviction moratorium provides immediate relief for the 6.5 million renter households who are currently behind on their rent and who were at an increased risk of eviction when the federal eviction moratorium expired on July 31. Recent research estimates that up to 80% of households behind on rent and at risk of eviction live in communities with over 100% COVID-19 case growth rates in July. The new moratorium will help keep renters safely and stably housed, and it will provide state and local governments more time to distribute emergency rental assistance (ERA) to households in need.

    The new moratorium:

    • Covers all renters living in communities experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, an estimated 90% of all renters; and
    • Protects renters for up to two months, through October 3.

    But we cannot rest. Landlord and real estate associations will undoubtedly challenge the new eviction moratorium in court. The work of state and local governments to distribute emergency rental assistance to tenants in need becomes all the more vital.

    Because the moratorium is not retroactive and will not protect those renters who have already been evicted from their homes, it is critical that state and local governments quickly prioritize ERA to rehouse these individuals and families to prevent homelessness. Most states and communities need to do much more to quickly distribute ERA to struggling renters and to ensure programs are visible, accessible, and preventive of evictions. Additional renter protections, such as right to counsel, expungement of eviction records, and just-cause eviction standards, are needed to help protect renters now and in the long term.

    The CDC’s decision to issue a new eviction moratorium gives states and communities the time they need to ramp up their ERA programs; they must use this time effectively to expedite assistance to households in need.

    New! President Biden Announces Immediate Steps to Protect Renters from Eviction; Still More Needed

    August 2, 2021

    The Biden administration issued a statement today outlining additional steps it will take to protect renters and prevent evictions during the pandemic. The statement comes after the administration allowed the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expire on July 31 and after efforts by House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to enact legislation to extend the moratorium failed to garner the congressional support necessary.

    The White House statement is a direct response to pressure by NLIHC, its members and partners, and congressional champions to urge the Biden administration to take every action possible to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic.

    In its statement, the Biden administration committed to several actions, including those recommended by NLIHC and the National Housing Law Project to:

    • Direct federal agencies to consider all legal authorities to stop evictions;
    • Encourage states and localities to establish or extend their own eviction moratoriums;
    • Call on courts to stop eviction proceedings until renters and landlords first apply for ERA;
    • Direct federal housing agencies to ensure federally supported landlords apply for ERA rather than evict renters; and
    • Ensure federal funds can be used to support eviction prevention efforts by courts, legal aid, and housing counselors.
    The statement from the White House also makes clear that “there is no excuse” for any state or local governments to not quickly distribute emergency rental assistance to struggling renters and prevent evictions. “No one in America should be evicted when federal funds are available, in the hands of state and local government, to pay back rent due,” said the statement.

    Additional federal action – beyond those identified in the White House statement – is urgently needed. The Biden administration should:
    • Immediately use existing authority to implement an eviction moratorium for renters in federally assisted properties at HUD, USDA, and Treasury, and explore legal authority to do the same for federally-backed properties.
    • Remove barriers in Treasury’s ERA program. By creating a safe harbor provision for ERA programs that reasonably interpret federal guidance and by presuming all low- and moderate-income households experienced a COVID-19 hardship, the Biden administration can reduce barriers that slow down the process and prevent aid from reaching those most in need. The Department of Treasury should direct programs to simplify applications and help renters complete applications.
    • Raise awareness of ERA resources to help renters and landlords through a continued all-of-government approach.

    Congress and the Biden administration must also fix the gaps in our federal housing safety net – gaps that brought us to the brink of an eviction tsunami during a global pandemic – by enacting the #HoUSed campaign’s long-term policy agenda. The first – and best – opportunity to advance this agenda is in the infrastructure and economic recovery packages that Congress will work on this week. Congress must enact the #HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: expanding rental assistance to all eligible households, $70 billion to preserve public housing, and at least $45 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund.

    For more information on urgently needed federal action, see NLIHC’s letters to the Biden administration on July 29July 26July 12, and June 14, as well as recent congressional testimony from NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel.

    Urgent Action Needed: House to Vote as Soon as Tonight to Extend Federal Eviction Moratorium!

    July 29, 2021

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    The House of Representatives may vote as soon as tonight on legislation to extend the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is set to expire this weekend. Without this protection, the 6.5 million renter households currently behind on their rent will be at heightened risk of losing their homes – and with them, their ability to keep themselves and their families safe.
     

    It is critical that your members of Congress hear from you NOW!


    Contact your representatives and senators AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and urge them to extend the federal eviction moratorium to help keep renters stably housed as the Delta variant and COVID cases surge throughout the country.

    Background

    The Biden administration announced today that it will not extend the federal eviction moratorium because the Supreme Court indicated that it might invalidate the protection. Instead, President Biden urged Congress to enact legislation extending the moratorium to help keep renters housed during the pandemic.

    Given the growing danger of the coronavirus Delta variant and the significant health and safety risks it poses, Congress should immediately extend the federal eviction moratorium issued by the CDC until vaccination rates increase in the lowest-income and most marginalized communities that face the greatest risk of eviction. The eviction moratorium extends vital protections to renters at risk of eviction during the pandemic, and by doing so, it has helped keep stably housed millions of people who otherwise would have been evicted.

    Evictions put lives at risk and strain our already overstretched public health systems. In fact, research shows that evictions occurring between the beginning of the pandemic and the issuance of the CDC moratorium in September led to more than 400,000 additional COVID-19 cases and nearly 11,000 additional deaths.

    The emergence of the Delta variant necessitates a further extension of the CDC eviction moratorium to contain the spread of the deadly disease. As stated by CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on July 22, 2021, “the Delta variant is more aggressive and much more transmissible than previously circulating strains. It is one of the most infectious respiratory viruses we know of, and that I have seen in my 20-year career.”

     Take Action

    The House may take up the legislation as soon as tonight. It is critical that Congress hears from you! 
     

    Please contact your representatives and senators NOW and urge them to quickly extend the federal eviction moratorium to help keep renters stably housed during the pandemic.

    Take Action: Urge Your Senators and Representatives to Support the #HoUSed Campaign Priorities in the Spending Package

    July 27, 2021

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    NLIHC and other national leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) are leading a national call-in day today, July 15, to tell Congress that housing is vital infrastructure and to urge them to include robust housing investments in any infrastructure or recovery package. It is crucial that advocates contact their representatives and senators and urge them to support vital resources, including at least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve deeply affordable housing, $70 billion to fully address the public housing capital repair backlog, and an expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household. See the NLIHC-led HoUSed campaign’s policy priorities for the infrastructure and recovery package here.

    Background

    As congressional leaders move forward on both a bipartisan infrastructure package and a broader reconciliation package, the coming weeks are critical for advocates to work together to ensure significant affordable housing resources are included in any recovery bill. Even before the pandemic, America’s lowest-income renters were struggling to pay rent each month. NLIHC’s HoUSed campaign is urging Congress to include the robust investments necessary to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis in any infrastructure or recovery package, including:

    • An expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household
    • $70 billion to repair public housing for current and future generations
    • At least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to the lowest-income people

    Our best opportunity to advance these bold solutions is in the American Jobs Plan, President Biden’s $2.2 trillion infrastructure and recovery bill to combat the climate crisis, advance racial equity, and “build back better.” To achieve these ambitious goals, Congress must address the urgent housing needs facing extremely low-income households, disproportionately Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), by including in any recovery package the HoUSed campaign’s infrastructure priorities.

    This infrastructure and recovery legislation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in proven affordable housing solutions – including rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund – at the scale necessary.

    Take action today, July 15, by joining our national call-in day and demand Congress include robust affordable housing investments in any infrastructure or recovery legislation!

    Take Action: Join Today's National Call-In Day (July 15) to Tell Congress that Housing is Infrastructure!

    July 15, 2021

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    Congressional leaders are working to advance a comprehensive infrastructure and economic recovery package that must include significant investments in affordable housing for America’s lowest-income and most marginalized renters. Key decisions about the package – including how much to invest in affordable housing – are being made right now!

    We need your help to ensure that any infrastructure and economic recovery package includes the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: expanding rental assistance to every eligible household, providing at least $70 billion to repair and preserve public housing, and investing at least $45 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund.

    We also need your help to build congressional support for two major #HoUSed campaign bills – “Housing is Infrastructure Act” (H.R. 4497) and the “Ending Homelessness Act” (H.R. 4496). Together, these bills from House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA) would ensure everyone has a safe, decent, affordable, and accessible place to call home and should be included in the spending bill.

    Background

    Now is the time to ensure that any infrastructure and economic recovery package includes the highest allocation possible for housing investments for America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households.

    Congressional leaders are expected to release in the coming days a budget resolution outlining the topline spending amounts for an infrastructure package and economic recovery package, as well as allocations for housing investments. Once the budget resolution is approved by Congress, each committee – including the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee – will draft legislation to divvy up its allocation among various programs.

    House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA) has introduced two major bills to advance the #HoUSed campaign’s policy agenda – through the infrastructure and economic recovery package and beyond.

    Chair Waters’s “Housing is Infrastructure Act” would provide $600 billion in housing investments in any infrastructure package. The bill provides robust funding for HoUSed campaign’s top priorities, including $200 billion for rental assistance, $75 billion to repair and preserve public housing, and $45 billion to build homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes through the national Housing Trust Fund.Chair Waters’s “Ending Homelessness Act” would create a universal rental assistance program – a key pillar of the #HoUSed campaign’s legislative agenda. Funding for rental assistance would be mandatory and phased in over ten years to ensure every eligible household receives a housing voucher. If enacted, the bill would help ensure everyone has a safe, decent, affordable, and accessible place to call home.

    Take Action

    It is critical that Congress hears from you!

    • Contact your senators and representatives and demand that any infrastructure and economic recovery package include the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities: a major expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household, at least $70 billion to repair and preserve public housing, and at least $45 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build homes for those most in need.
    • Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor Chair Waters’s “Housing is Infrastructure Act” (H.R. 4497) and “Ending Homelessness Act” (H.R. 4496). Together these bills would help ensure everyone has a safe, decent, affordable, and accessible place to call home.

    Learn how to contact your members of Congress at: https://www.govtrack.us/

    Take Action: Join National Call-In Day on July 15 to Tell Congress that Housing is Infrastructure!

    July 7, 2021

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    NLIHC and other national leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) are leading a national call-in day on July 15 to tell Congress that housing is vital infrastructure and to urge them to include robust housing investments in any infrastructure or recovery package. It is crucial that advocates contact their representatives and senators and urge them to support vital resources, including at least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve deeply affordable housing, $70 billion to fully address the public housing capital repair backlog, and an expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household. See the NLIHC-led HoUSed campaign’s policy priorities for the infrastructure and recovery package here.

    Background

    As congressional leaders move forward on both a bipartisan infrastructure package and a broader reconciliation package, the coming weeks are critical for advocates to work together to ensure significant affordable housing resources are included in any recovery bill. Even before the pandemic, America’s lowest-income renters were struggling to pay rent each month. NLIHC’s HoUSed campaign is urging Congress to include the robust investments necessary to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis in any infrastructure or recovery package, including:
    • An expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household
    • $70 billion to repair public housing for current and future generations
    • At least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to the lowest-income people
    Our best opportunity to advance these bold solutions is in the American Jobs Plan, President Biden’s $2.2 trillion infrastructure and recovery bill to combat the climate crisis, advance racial equity, and “build back better.” To achieve these ambitious goals, Congress must address the urgent housing needs facing extremely low-income households, disproportionately Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), by including in any recovery package the HoUSed campaign’s infrastructure priorities.

    This infrastructure and recovery legislation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in proven affordable housing solutions – including rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund – at the scale necessary.

    Take action on July 15 by joining our national call-in day and demand Congress include robust affordable housing investments in any infrastructure or recovery legislation!

    Find out how to contact your member of Congress at: https://tinyurl.com/yb9goyt6

    Take Action: Urge Your Members of Congress to Join Dear Colleague Letter in Support of HoUsed Campaign’s Infrastructure Priorities!

    June 30, 2021

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    Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter urging congressional leaders to include the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in any infrastructure package. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter urging congressional leaders to include the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in any infrastructure package.

    The letter calls for:

    • A major expansion of Housing Choice Vouchers to pave the way toward universal rental assistance for all eligible households;
    • $70 billion to repair and preserve public housing for current and future generations; and
    • $45 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve new homes affordable to America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households.

    Your advocacy is needed!

    Your members of Congress need to hear from you! Please email or call your senators and representative today and ask them to sign onto the Dear Colleague letter to show their support for including the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities.

    • To email your members of Congress, click here.
    • To call your members of Congress, you can find a call script here and the phone number to your members of Congress here.

    Thank you for your advocacy on the #HoUSed Campaign!

    Call To Action Header

    Take Action: CDC Extends Eviction Moratorium for 30 Days, President Biden Activates Whole of Government to Prevent Evictions

    June 24, 2021

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    The Biden administration announced today that it will extend the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through July 31, and it will implement a whole-of-government approach to prevent a historic wave of evictions this summer, as NLIHC urged the administration to do. The moratorium was set to expire next week.

    These actions from the White House extend an essential lifeline to millions of renters who remain behind on rent and would be at heightened risk of eviction when the moratorium expires.

    Extending the eviction moratorium through July gives state and local governments more time to distribute more than $46 billion in emergency rental assistance (ERA) to those most in need. The administration’s whole-of-government effort to stem evictions and help ensure ERA is provided efficiently, effectively, and equitably can keep families safely housed and bolster the administration’s efforts to contain COVID-19. While in many areas in the U.S. vaccination rates are up and COVID-19 caseloads are down, communities with lower vaccination rates and more COVID-19 cases tend to be the same communities that have large numbers of renters at heightened risk of eviction.

    NLIHC urged the Biden administration to use every tool possible to prevent evictions, and the White House adopted many of our recommendations.  In addition to extending the eviction moratorium, the White House will:

    • Convene a summit to bring together local teams to develop eviction-prevention action plans.
    • Issue new guidance from Treasury for the ERA program to accelerate and broaden state and local delivery of funds.
    • Have the Department of Justice send guidance to state courts encouraging them to adopt anti-eviction diversion practices.
    • Provide guidance from HUD to help prevent Fair Housing Act violations related to evictions.
    • Activate a whole-of-government effort to raise awareness about emergency rental assistance, tapping agencies including Treasury, HUD, CFPB, DOJ, and USDA to inform tenants and landlords of available support.

    To amplify and accelerate these efforts, NLIHC is launching a national Call to Action to End Rental Arrears to Stop Evictions (ERASE)

    At least 6 million renter households are still behind on rent: state and local governments must use the next month to quickly and aggressively strengthen their emergency rental assistance programs to avert an historic wave of evictions this summer and fall.

    With research, tools, capacity building grants, learning cohorts and more NLIHC will urge state and local advocates, city and state officials, and program administrators act quickly to make their emergency rental assistance programs:

    1. Visible: Conduct equitable and robust marketing and outreach efforts to ensure that all renters and landlords know about ERA and how to access it in their communities.
    2. Accessible: Help tenants and landlords receive aid by ensuring an accessible, streamlined, and low-barrier ERA application process.
    3. Preventative: Prevent evictions or housing displacement by creating formal partnerships with state and local courts to support eviction prevention and eviction diversion in coordination with ERA.

    How can you participate in ERASE?

    • Governors and Mayors.  Adopt state and local policies needed to ensure ERA programs are visible, accessible, and preventative.
    • Program Administrators. Use NLIHC resources and guidance to make ERA programs accessible, streamlined, and low-barrier.
    • Tenants and Landlords. Share your experience. Assist neighbors and friends who might be in need. Advocate for ERA programs to course-correct.
    • State and Local Courts. Leverage ERA to support eviction prevention and diversion.
    • State and Local Coalitions. Urge your state and local governments to implement key visibility, accessibility, and preventative elements into your ERA programs. Send letters and written guidance; convene stakeholders, including tenants and other state and local coalitions to add their voices to the effort; and track outcomes and use this information to advocate for further improvements.

    For more information or to get involved in ERASE, please contact Sarah Gallagher, ERASE senior director, at: [email protected]

    Join NLIHC’s national call this Monday, June 28 at 2:30 pm ET to learn more about how the extension of the eviction moratorium and other critical actions being taken by the Biden administration will impact renters in your community and what you can do to prevent evictions this summer, fall and beyond

    Register for the call here

    Take Action: Urge Your Members of Congress to Join Dear Colleague Letter in Support of HoUSed Campaign’s Infrastructure Priorities!

    June 17, 2021

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    Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter urging congressional leaders to include the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in any infrastructure package.

    The letter calls for:

    • A major expansion of housing vouchers to pave the way toward universal rental assistance;
    • $70 billion to repair and preserve public housing for current and future generations; and
    • $45 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve new homes affordable to America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households.

    Your advocacy is needed!

    Please call your senators and representatives today and ask them to sign onto the Dear Colleague letter to show their support for including the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in the infrastructure package!

    Background  

    The Biden administration and a group of 10 senators are currently negotiating the size and scope of a potential bipartisan infrastructure package. These bipartisan negotiations, however, do not include the robust investments needed to ensure long-term housing stability for millions of households with the lowest incomes.

    An infrastructure and economic recovery package is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in proven affordable housing solutions – including rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund – at the scale necessary.

    Take Action

    Congress needs to hear from you about the critical need to include the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in any infrastructure package:

    • Call your senators and representatives today to urge them to sign onto the “Dear Colleague” letter led by Senator Merkley and Representative Torres in support of the HoUSed campaign’s top infrastructure priorities! Senators can sign onto the letter by contacting Matt Traylor ([email protected]) and representatives can sign on by contacting Christopher Jerrolds ([email protected]) in Congressman Torres’s office. You can find your members of Congress here.
    • Join over 1,000 organizations supporting these priorities by signing onto the national letter and help us build support for the bold solutions needed to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all.

    Thank you for your advocacy on the #HoUSed Campaign!

    Take Action: Call Your Members of Congress to Urge that Housing Investments Are Included in Any Infrastructure Package!

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    Members of Congress are working to reach a compromise on an infrastructure package that could pass with bipartisan support. So far, however, these negotiations do not include robust investments to make housing affordable to America’s lowest-income and most marginalized households, even though President Biden and Democratic Congressional leaders have called for it.

    It is critical that any infrastructure package includes the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities for the bill: an expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household; at least $70 billion to repair public housing; and at least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    Call your senators and representatives today and demand that the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities are included in any bipartisan infrastructure package.

    Background

    After weeks of negotiations, President Biden and Senator Capito (R-WV) have been unable to reach a deal on a bipartisan infrastructure package. Now, bipartisan groups of senators and representatives have stepped in to see if they can reach an agreement.

    None of these bipartisan negotiations include robust investments in affordable housing. A framework for a possible compromise released yesterday by the House Problem Solvers Caucus provides $10 billion to support veteran housing, but does not include the major investments in affordable housing needed for the millions of households with the lowest incomes who struggle to pay rent and make ends meet. Details of a possible agreement from a bipartisan group of senators may be released later this week, but it too is not expected to include robust housing investments.

    If the HoUSed campaign’s top infrastructure priorities are not included in any bipartisan package, the opportunity to enact these investments may be lost. Enacting a bipartisan infrastructure bill without affordable housing investments could make it more difficult for Congress to enact a separate economic recovery bill with the remaining pieces of President Biden’s “American Jobs Plan,” including the president’s proposal to provide $318 billion in housing investments.

    Take Action

    Advocates should contact their representatives and senators and to remind them that housing is infrastructure, and urge them to include the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in any infrastructure package that moves forward: an expansion of rental assistance for every eligible household; $70 billion to repair public housing; and at least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    • Call your senators and representatives today to demand that any infrastructure bill includes the HoUSed campaign’s top infrastructure priorities! You can find your members of Congress here.
    • Join nearly 1,000 organizations supporting these priorities by signing onto the national letter in support of the national HoUSed campaign and the bold solutions needed to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all.

    Thank you for your advocacy on the #HoUSed Campaign!

    Biden Administration Proposes $318 Billion for Affordable Housing in the ‘American Jobs Plan’

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    HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge unveiled today details of the housing provisions in the “American Jobs Plan,” President Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal. While the Biden administration previously proposed a total of $213 billion in housing investments, today Secretary Fudge announced they have increased their proposal to $318 billion and shared details on the spending request.

    The proposal includes two of three of the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities for an infrastructure bill: $45 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund for the construction and preservation of homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes, and a major investment to rehabilitate and preserve the nation’s public housing stock!

    The administration also proposes, among other things: $2 billion for new project-based vouchers; $35 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program; $55 billion for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit; $3 billion to fund lead-based paint testing and abatement; $2 billion to meet the housing needs of tribal communities; and $2 billion for HUD’s Section 202 program to increase the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for low-income seniors.
     

    Take Action: Urge Congress to Support Robust Investments in Affordable Housing!
     

    NLIHC is working to ensure that Congress includes in any infrastructure spending plan comprehensive resources to achieve housing justice, including:

    • Expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household;
    • $70 billion to repair and make energy-efficient upgrades to public housing; and
    • At least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    Take action by signing your organization on to a national letter urging Congress to robust investments in affordable housing at: https://tinyurl.com/zbau4kee
     

    Take Action Today!

    Learn more about NLIHC’s HoUSed Campaign at: https://nlihc.org/housed
     

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Sign on to HoUSed Campaign Letter for Universal, Stable, Affordable Housing!

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    The HoUSed campaign will work to advance anti-racist policies and achieve the large-scale, sustained investments and reforms necessary to ensure the most marginalized renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable and accessible place to call home.
     
    Our first opportunity to enact many of these crucial measures is through an infrastructure spending bill that includes robust affordable housing investments. Congress and the White House are now at work on the “American Jobs Plan,” the administration’s $2.2 trillion infrastructure and recovery package. To ensure stable, affordable housing is universally available to those most in need, Congress must include in any infrastructure and recovery bill these priorities:

    • An expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household.
    • $70 billion to repair public housing for current and future generations.
    • At least $40 billion annually for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.
    Your advocacy is needed! Take action by signing your organization on to a national letter urging Congress to support these robust and targeted investments in affordable housing. This infrastructure and recovery legislation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in proven affordable housing solutions – including rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund – at the scale necessary.

    Take Action Today!
     

    You can see if your organization has already signed the letter here. Please circulate the letter to your networks!
     

    Thank you for your advocacy on the #HoUSed campaign!

    Join #HoUSed Tweetstorm during National Fair Housing Month – Tomorrow, April 21 at 1 pm ET

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    Join us tomorrow (Wednesday, April 21) from 1 to 2 pm ET for a #HoUSed campaign tweetstorm as part of National Fair Housing Month! Tell Congress that the next infrastructure and recovery bills must ensure stable, affordable housing is universally available to those in need. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in proven affordable housing solutions, including universal rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund. Congress must immediately address the urgent housing needs facing extremely low-income households, disproportionately people of color, by including in any infrastructure package the HoUSed campaign’s priorities.

    Sample images are available at: https://bit.ly/3gnNwAY

    Sample Tweets:

    • Bold policies are needed to ensure #Universal, #Stable, #Affordable housing for all. #HoUSed #Housing4UsAll https://nlihc.org/housed
    • #DYK: Racial segregation & discrimination in housing is a major cause of racial inequity across all sectors of education, income, and more.
    • We need to bridge the gap to ensure #Housing4UsAll. https://nlihc.org/housed
    • To guarantee the lowest-income people are #HoUSed we must preserve & expand  the supply of rental homes across the US through investments in public housing & the national Housing Trust Fund. https://bit.ly/3gfQUho
    • Housing is health care. When we keep people #HoUSed, we prevent long-term health problems & promote healthy, productive lives. https://nlihc.org/housed
    • April is National Fair Housing Month! Congress must pass anti-racist housing policies for #Universal, #Stable, #Affordable housing called for in the #HoUSed campaign https://nlihc.org/housed
    • Racial justice requires housing justice! Congress must pass #Antiracist, #Universal, #Stable, #Affordable housing called for in the #HoUSed campaign https://nlihc.org/housed
    • Black, Indigenous, and people of color are disproportionately low-income and severely housing cost-burdened renters. Call on Congress to pass anti-racist housing policies in the #HoUSed campaign! https://nlihc.org/housed
    • Millions of households are one financial shock away from eviction & homelessness. Everyone deserves a housing safety net; universal rental assistance for all eligible households would provide it.  #Housing4UsAll. https://bit.ly/3suVFGp
    • #ICYMI Children learn better and are more likely to graduate when they are #HoUSed in stable, affordable homes. Learn more here: https://nlihc.org/housed
    • We all deserve the opportunity to climb the income ladder and achieve financial stability. Housing assistance reduces poverty and helps keep low-income renters #HoUSed. https://bit.ly/3gfNA5U
    • Congress must advance anti-racist policies and provide the large-scale, sustained investments and reforms needed to ensure renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable place to call home. #HoUSed https://nlihc.org/housed
    • There is no state or congressional district in America w/ enough affordable homes for families w/ the lowest incomes. A National Housing Stabilization Fund can alleviate economic shocks before they cause instability & homelessness. Keep people #hoUSed. https://bit.ly/3gzMm5R
    • Eviction records make it hard for families to find decent housing in safe neighborhoods and have negative impacts on health, employment, education, etc. Universal housing assistance will help renters avoid eviction & remain stably #HoUSed. https://bit.ly/3suVFGp 
    • .@SpeakerPelosi #DYK that only 1 in 4 households who qualify for housing assistance receives it, and most are left to fend for themselves. We need #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3gfNA5U
    • .@SenSchumer #DYK in communities with right to counsel, 86% of renters were able to remain in their homes, and eviction filings decreased by 10%. #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3mPfQgS
    • #DYK fewer than 10% of renters have access to legal counsel when facing eviction, compared to 90% of landlords. #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3mPfQgS
    •  #DYK since 1960, renters’ incomes have increased by 5%, while rents have risen 61%. #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3gfNA5U
    • .@SpeakerPelosi #DYK millions of eligible households are on housing waiting lists, often for years, waiting for help. #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3gfNA5U
    • .@SenSchumer #DYK 8 million extremely low-income households pay at least half of their limited incomes on rent, leaving them w/o the resources they need to put food on the table, purchase medications, or make ends meet. #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3gfNA5U
    • #DYK for every 10 extremely low-income households, there are fewer than 4 affordable and available homes. We need #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3gfQUho
    • #DYK on avg in the U.S., renters need an income $23.96 an hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment - far above the incomes of many working families, seniors, & people w/ disabilities. We need #Housing4UsAll https://bit.ly/3gfNA5U

    Thank you for your advocacy on the #HoUSed campaign!

    Join a National Call-In Day on April 14 to Urge Congress to Support the HoUSed Campaign’s Infrastructure Priorities!

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    Join advocates across the country for a National Call-In Day on Wednesday, April 14 to urge Congress to include in the American Jobs Plan the HoUSed campaign’s top infrastructure priorities: a major expansion of rental assistance for every eligible household; $70 billion to repair public housing; and an investment of $40 billion in the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to the lowest-income and most marginalized households.

    NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel is set to testify on April 14 before House Financial Services Committee on the urgent need for these housing investments, and your participation in the National Call-In Day will help amplify this message!

    Call your senators and representatives on April 14 and demand that the American Jobs Plan includes robust resources to make rental housing affordable to the lowest-income and most marginalized households.

    Background

    With congressional champions and national, state, and local partners, NLIHC launched the HoUSed campaign to advance anti-racist policies and achieve the large-scale, sustained investments and reforms necessary to ensure renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable and accessible place to call home.

    Our first and best opportunity to advance some of these bold housing solutions is in the American Jobs Plan, $2.2 trillion infrastructure and recovery proposal from President Biden with a proposed $213 billion in housing investments.

    It is critical that Congress include the HoUSed campaign’s top infrastructure priorities – a major expansion of rental assistance for every eligible household, $70 billion to repair public housing, and $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund – to address the urgent housing needs facing extremely low-income households, who are disproportionately Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC).

    Advocates should contact their representatives and senators and urge them to support the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities in the American Jobs Plan.

    Take Action

    • Call your senators and representatives on Wednesday, April 14 to demand that the American Jobs Plan includes the HoUSed campaign’s top infrastructure priorities! You can find your members of Congress here.
    • Please sign onto the national letter in support of the national HoUSed campaign and the bold solutions needed to end homelessness and housing poverty once and for all.

    Sample Tweets

    The #AmericanJobsPlan must include #HoUSed campaign’s top priorities to help the lowest-income people afford a place to call home. Call Congress TODAY and demand that the American Jobs Plan prioritizes #Housing4UsAll starting with those with the greatest needs! https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/American_Recovery_Plan.pdf

    We need #Housing4UsAll! Call your senators and representatives TODAY to demand that the American Jobs Plan includes robust housing investments for the lowest-income and most marginalized people. https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/American_Recovery_Plan.pdf

    More than ever, we need Congress to advance bold policies to ensure affordable and stable housing is universally available. Sign your organization onto the national letter urging Congress to take action to ensure #Housing4UsAll: https://sforce.co/3utqkoO

    Thank you for your advocacy on the #HoUSed campaign!

    President Biden Proposes 15% Increase to HUD Budget for FY22

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    President Joe Biden released today a “budget blueprint” previewing his full Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget request, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

    The President’s blueprint proposes a $9 billion or 15% increase to HUD’s budget from FY 2021. If enacted, the budget would provide substantial federal investments in affordable homes and increase the availability of housing assistance to families with the greatest need. For full details, see NLIHC’s updated budget chart and analysis.

    The proposal calls for expanding rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program to 200,000 additional households, focusing on those who are experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. The blueprint also proposes to increase funding for Homeless Assistance Grants by $500 million to $3.5 billion, to expand tribal housing resources from $747 million to $900 million, to expand the HOME Investment Partnerships program by $500 million to $1.9 billion, to invest $180 million to support 2,000 new homes for seniors and people with disabilities, to increase fair housing activities by $12 million to $85 million, and to provide $800 million across HUD programs to rehabilitate public and affordable housing and provide energy-efficient upgrades, on top of $3.2 billion for public housing capital repairs. The proposal would also increase Community Development Block Grants by $295 million, with additional funds targeted to historically underfunded and marginalized communities facing persistent poverty.

    The FY22 budget is the first annual spending bill in a decade that is not limited by the low spending caps required by the Budget Control Act that have prevented Congress from investing in affordable housing at the scale necessary.

    The budget proposal is part of a larger effort by the Biden Administration to invest in the country’s housing infrastructure. The President’s $2 trillion “American Jobs Plan” calls for an additional $213 billion for the construction and preservation of affordable housing.

    Once the President’s full budget request is released, Congress will draft and vote on spending bills, including one focused on Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (THUD) programs. Congress is expected to start the process of drafting spending bills as soon as late April or early May. Congress has also started to work on an American Jobs Plan, which could receive a vote in Congress as soon as this summer. Congress. must work with the administration to expand investments in affordable homes through both the FY22 spending bill and an infrastructure package, including the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities for the American Jobs Plan.

    Advocates should continue to contact their senators and representatives to urge them to support the highest funding level possible for affordable housing and homelessness, and community development resources in the FY22 budget and any jobs package.

    • Sign your organization to a letter supporting increased funding for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources.
    • Sign the HoUSed campaign’s national letter calling on Congress to enact long-term solutions to the housing crisis!
    • Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to support the HoUSed campaign’s top priorities for the American Jobs Plan.
     

    Thank you for your advocacy on the #HoUSed campaign!

    housed campaign

    Take Action for Universal, Stable, Affordable Housing!

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    With congressional champions and national, state, and local partners, NLIHC just launched the HoUSed campaign to advance anti-racist policies and achieve the large-scale, sustained investments and reforms necessary to ensure renters with the lowest incomes have an affordable and accessible place to call home.

    Congress and the White House will soon get to work on the “American Recovery Plan,” a potentially $3 trillion infrastructure and recovery package. This presents a tremendous opportunity to advance many of the HoUSed Campaign’s bold housing solutions!.

    To ensure stable, affordable housing is universally available, Congress must include in any infrastructure and recovery bill these priorities:

    • An expansion of rental assistance to every eligible household.
    • $70 billion to repair public housing for current and future generations.
    • At least $40 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

    Your advocacy is needed! Please sign your organization on to a national letter to urge Congress to support these investments!  The deadline to sign this letter is April 9!

    And ask your senators and representatives to join a Dear Colleague letter led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), calling on Congress to include the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in the American Recovery Plan. The letter is open to members of Congress, who can sign on by contacting Matt Traylor at [email protected] or Christopher Jerrolds at [email protected]The deadline is next Tuesday, March 30.

    Background:


    The HoUSed campaign advocates for four solutions to America’s housing crisis: expanding rental assistance to every eligible household; increasing the supply of affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes; providing emergency housing assistance to help stabilize families in a crisis; and strengthening and enforcing robust renter protectionsLearn more about the campaign here.

    Our first and best opportunity to advance some of these bold housing solutions is in the American Recovery Plan, a soon-to-be-released infrastructure and recovery proposal from President Biden to combat the climate crisis, advance racial equity, and “build back better.” To achieve these ambitious goals, Congress must address the urgent housing needs facing extremely low-income households, disproportionately Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), by including in any recovery package the HoUSed campaign’s infrastructure priorities.

    This infrastructure and recovery legislation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in proven affordable housing solutions – including rental assistance, public housing, and the national Housing Trust Fund – at the scale necessary.

    Take Action today!

    • Ask your senators and representatives to join a Dear Colleague letter led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), calling on Congress to include the HoUSed campaign’s priorities in the American Recovery Plan. The letter is open to members of Congress, who can sign on by contacting Matt Traylor at [email protected] or Christopher Jerrolds at [email protected]The deadline is next Tuesday, March 30.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Senate Approves COVID-19 Relief Bill, More Advocacy Needed!

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    The Senate voted today to approve the American Rescue Plan Act, overcoming a major hurdle to enacting the bill.

    The comprehensive relief package, which includes almost $50 billion in essential housing and homelessness assistance, now goes to the House floor as soon as Monday for a final vote before heading to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

    Please contact your representatives and urge them to vote to approve the relief package!

    Background:

    The American Rescue Plan Act provides essential and urgently needed resources to address the health and housing needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. These critical investments will help prevent millions of low-income people from losing their homes during the pandemic, and it will provide cities and states the resources they need to help some people experiencing homelessness be safely housed during and after the pandemic.

    The relief package includes:

    • $27.4 billion for rental housing assistance, including $21.55 billion for emergency rental assistance, $750 million for tribal housing needs, $100 million for rural housing, and $5 billion in emergency housing vouchers;
    • $5 billion to assist people experiencing homelessness with immediate and longer-term assistance;
    • $800m to support identification, enrollment, and school participation of children and youth experiencing homelessness; 
    • $5 billion in utility and water assistance;
    • $9.96 billion for homeowner assistance;
    • $100 million for housing counseling
    • $20 million for fair housing activities;
    • $1,400 individual stimulus checks and
    • Other critical resources for states, communities, and people.
    For more details on the housing and homelessness provisions in the relief bill, see NLIHC’s factsheet.

    Take Action

    • Please contact your representatives and urge them to vote to approve the relief package!
    • Join NLIHC’s weekly national call on Coronavirus, Disasters, Housing and Homelessness to hear the latest update on American Rescue Plan Act and learn more about how communities are responding to COVID-19. 

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Take Action: Urge Your Senators to Support the “American Rescue Plan Act”

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    The “American Rescue Plan Act” (ARPA) now heads to the Senate, after the House voted last week to approve the COVID-19 relief package, including more than $40 billion in essential housing and homelessness assistance. The Senate plans to vote on amendments and the legislation this week.

    If enacted, the investments in ARPA will help prevent millions of low-income people from losing their homes during the pandemic, and it will provide communities the resources they need to help people experiencing homelessness be safely housed during and after the pandemic.

    Please contact your senators and urge them to vote to approve the relief package and to support/oppose the following amendments!

    Support:

    • Any amendment to better target rental assistance to the lowest-income renters and those hardest hit by the pandemic;
    • Any amendment to increase resources for the lowest-income renters or people experiencing homelessness; and
    • Any amendment to ensure resources can more quickly reach households with the greatest needs.

    Oppose:

    • Any amendment that would reduce relief for the lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness;
    • Any amendment that would create barriers or make it more difficult for households in need to receive assistance; and
    • Any amendment that prevents immigrant households from accessing critical aid.

    Background

    Congress is moving quickly to pass ARPA through a budget reconciliation process that allows Congress to pass the bill with a simple majority of 51 votes in the Senate. The House voted to pass the relief package 219 to 212 on February 27.

    The relief package as passed by the House includes:

    • $26.1 billion for rental housing assistance, including $20.25 billion for emergency rental assistance, $750 million for tribal housing needs, $100 million for rural housing, and $5 billion in emergency housing vouchers.
    • $5 billion to assist people experiencing homelessness with immediate and longer-term assistance.
    • $9.96 billion for homeowner assistance.
    • $100 million for housing counseling.
    • $5 billion in utility and water assistance.
    • $20 million for fair housing activities.
    • $1,400 individual stimulus checks.
    • Other critical resources for states, communities, and people.

    For more details on the housing and homelessness provisions in the relief bill, see NLIHC’s factsheet.

    Once approved by the Senate, the bill may go back to the House to resolve any final differences between the bills, and then will be sent to the president’s desk for his signature.

    Congress and the White House are aiming to enact a new COVID relief bill by mid-March, when expanded unemployment benefits and other resources expire.

    Take Action

    • Hear the latest updates and learn more about needed advocacy: join NLIHC’s weekly national call on Coronavirus, Disasters, Housing and Homelessness.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Take Action: Urge Your Representative to Pass the American Rescue Plan Act

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    The House will vote as soon as Friday on a comprehensive $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, “the American Rescue Plan Act,” that includes more than $40 billion in essential housing and homelessness assistance. If enacted, these investments will help prevent millions of low-income people from losing their homes during the pandemic, and it will provide cities and states with the resources they need to help people experiencing homelessness be safely housed during and after the pandemic.

    Please contact your representatives and urge them to vote to approve the relief package!

    Background

    Congress is moving quickly to pass the American Rescue Plan Act in the coming weeks through a budget reconciliation process that allows Congress to pass the bill with a simple majority of 51 votes. The Senate and House have passed budget resolutions setting the topline spending limit for a COVID-19 relief bill that matches President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal. House committees sent their approved sections to the House Budget Committee, which combined them into one bill for a vote in the full chamber as soon as Friday.

    Before the floor vote, the Rules Committee is likely to pass a manager’s amendment that includes several improvements. The amendment increases funding for emergency rental assistance (ERA) by $1.2 billion and directs these additional funds to high-need communities, based on the number of very low-income renter households paying more than 50 percent of income on rent or living in substandard or overcrowded conditions, rental market costs, and employment trends. The amendment also moves up the date to reallocate unspent funds from September 30, 2022 to March 31, 2022, and reduces the initial tranche of funding to grantees from 50% to 40% of their total allocation. NLIHC and others advocates urged Congress to better target emergency rental assistance to communities with the greatest needs. These measures are a clear step in the right direction, but more is needed. The manager’s amendment also provides $20 million to support fair housing activities during the pandemic.

    With the manager’s amendment, the relief package includes:

    • $26.1 billion for rental housing assistance, including $20.25 billion for emergency rental assistance, $750 million for tribal housing needs, $100 million for rural housing, and $5 billion in emergency housing vouchers.
    • $5 billion to assist people experiencing homelessness with immediate and longer-term assistance.
    • $9.96 billion for homeowner assistance.
    • $100 million for housing counseling.
    • $5 billion in utility and water assistance.
    • $20 million for fair housing activities.
    • $1,400 individual stimulus checks.
    • Other critical resources for states, communities, and people.
    For more details on the housing and homelessness provisions in the relief bill, see NLIHC’s factsheet.

    Once approved by the House, the bill will go to the Senate floor for consideration. Congressional leaders aim to enact the legislation before mid-March when expanded unemployment benefits and other protections end.
     

    Take Action

    • Hear the latest updates and learn more about needed advocacy: join NLIHC’s weekly national call on Coronavirus, Disasters, Housing and Homelessness.

    Take Action: Sign Your Organization TODAY onto a Letter Supporting Increased Congressional Funding for Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development!

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    Advocates for housing, community development, and ending homelessness are working together to urge Congress to provide the highest possible funding for HUD and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) housing and community development programs for fiscal year (FY) 2022. NLIHC encourages all our member and partner organizations to sign onto the letter by March 5.

    Background

    In the coming weeks, Congress will decide how to divide available funding for FY22 among the 12 appropriations subcommittees. These funding allocations for subcommittees, called 302(b) allocations, will determine how much funding is available for HUD and USDA programs on housing, homelessness, and community development in FY22.

    State and local governments and the communities they serve rely on federal resources to meet the infrastructure needs of their communities, including community development and accessible, affordable housing. Increased investments are ever more critical this year as families struggle to make ends meet and our nation's affordable housing crisis worsens due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    It is critical that the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittees in both the House and Senate receive the highest possible 302(b) allocations. Adequate 302(b) allocations will help the subcommittees have the resources they need to fund the homeless, affordable housing and community development programs at levels that exceed current spending and meet the level of need caused by the pandemic.

    Read the letter and sign your organization on at: tinyurl.com/4vq836e6

    House Committee Proposes $40 Billion in COVID Relief for Renters, People who are Homeless, and Homeowners!

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    The House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) released today a COVID-19 relief bill that would provide urgently needed resources for America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    The bill provides $25 billion in rental assistance including: $19.05 billion for emergency rental assistance (ERA); $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers; $750 million for tribal housing needs; and $100 million for rural housing.

    The bill also provides $5 billion to assist people who are homeless with immediate and longer-term assistance, $9.96 billion for homeowner assistance, and $100 million for housing counseling. The Education and Labor Committee’s relief bill may provide an additional $5 billion in utility assistance.

    If enacted, these investments will help prevent millions of low-income people from losing their homes during the pandemic and will provide cities and states with the resources they need to help people experiencing homelessness be safely housed during and after the pandemic.

    Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them to quickly enact a comprehensive relief package that includes these essential housing and homelessness resources!

    The bill unfortunately does not include an extension of the eviction moratorium through September, as President Biden urged, because the mechanism (“reconciliation”) that Democrats are using to quickly pass this bill does not allow for it to be included. It is essential that President Biden and CDC Director Walensky continue to use executive authority to strengthen, enforce and further extend the moratorium.
     

    Background

    Congress is moving quickly to pass COVID-19 relief legislation in the coming weeks. The Democratic leadership is moving ahead with a budget reconciliation process that allows Congress to pass a relief package with a simple majority of 51 votes. The Senate and House have passed budget resolutions setting the topline spending limit for a relief package that matches President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal. Now, each committee will quickly vote on individual spending bills for programs within their jurisdictions before they are combined into a full package for final votes. Congress and the White House are aiming to enact a new COVID relief bill by mid-March, when expanded unemployment benefits and other resources expire.

    The House Financial Services Committee will vote on its bill and any filed amendments on February 10 and 11.

    The bill provides $19.05 billion to the Emergency Rental Assistance program created by Congress in December, with several improvements, including: households can receive assistance for up to 18 months; the deadline to spend funds is extended to September 2025; and eligibility is extended to cover households experiencing financial hardship during or due to the pandemic. Additional funds are provided for rural households living in properties financed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ($100 million), and for tribal nations through HUD’s native housing programs ($750 million).

    The bill also takes an important first step toward longer-term solutions by allocating $5 billion to provide tens of thousands of emergency housing vouchers to provide housing stability during and after the pandemic.

    As proposed by President Biden, the bill provides $5 billion to assist people experiencing homelessness. In addition to addressing the immediate need for supportive services and rental assistance, these funds can be used to develop or convert properties into non-congregate housing, permanent supportive housing, and other long-term housing solutions.

    The bill also provides $9.96 billion to support homeowners at risk of foreclosure, and $100 million for housing counseling. An additional $5 billion is expected to be provided in a separate bill for utility assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

    Take Action

    • Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to quickly enact a comprehensive relief package that includes these resources and provisions and other essential relief for low-income and marginalized people.
    • Hear the latest updates and learn more about needed advocacy: join our weekly national call on Coronavirus, Disasters, Housing and Homelessness.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

     

    Contact Your Senators and Representatives to Provide #RentReliefNow!

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    Congressional leaders are moving quickly to pass COVID-19 relief legislation in the coming weeks, either through bipartisan legislation under regular order or by using the budget reconciliation process. Your advocacy is needed to ensure that any COVID relief package includes essential resources to address the urgent health and housing needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them to include NLIHC’s top priorities in any relief package!

    Background

    This week, a group of 10 Senate Republicans released a $600 billion COVID-19 relief proposal that fails to address any of the significant needs of renters and people experiencing homelessness. Despite the ongoing eviction crisis and the tremendous needs of renters and people experiencing homelessness, the Republican proposal includes no resources or protections for renters and people without homes. In addition, the plan excludes needed resources for state and local fiscal relief and reduces funding for direct stimulus checks and unemployment benefits.

    As bipartisan negotiations continue, the House and Senate are moving forward with “budget reconciliation,” a process that allows Congress to pass a bill with a simple majority of 51 votes rather than the 60 votes typically required in the chamber. The House and Senate are voting this week on a budget resolution with a topline spending limit that matches President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal. When the budget resolution is approved, each committee will quickly draft and vote on individual spending bills for programs within their jurisdiction before it is combined into a full package for final votes. Congress and the White House are aiming to enact a new COVID relief bill by mid-March, when expanded unemployment benefits and other resources expire.

    Advocates should urge Congress to ensure the next COVID relief package includes NLIHC’s top priorities to address the full scope of our nation’s urgent health and housing needs. An extended, improved, and enforced eviction moratorium will save lives and help slow the spread of COVID-19. Additional emergency rental and utility assistance and new housing vouchers are needed to address rent arrears and to ensure continued housing stability. More resources are required to keep people experiencing homelessness safe during the pandemic and allow individuals living in non-congregate shelter to transition to permanent housing, rather than to be pushed back into homelessness. Read more about NLIHC priorities for the next COVID relief bill here.

    Take Action

    Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to include NLIHC’s top housing and homelessness priorities in any relief package! Then join our weekly national call on Coronavirus, Disasters, Housing and Homelessness to hear the latest updates and learn more about needed advocacy.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    Sign Letter Urging President-Elect Biden to Keep Families Housed During the Pandemic!

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    Join NLIHC and advocates from across the nation by signing your organization onto a national letter, already signed onto by over 1,500 organizations and elected officials, urging President-elect Biden to take immediate action to issue an Executive Order that extends, improves, and enforces the federal eviction moratorium through the end of the pandemic.

    Though the CDC-issued moratorium was extended through the end of January by the recent coronavirus relief package, on February 1 tens of millions of low-income renters will be at risk of losing their homes and, with them, their ability to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy. The consequences would be devastating – for children and families, for communities, and for our country’s ability to contain the surging pandemic.

    We are also urging the Biden administration to strengthen the moratorium by closing loopholes and making it easier for renters to be protected, and to enforce the criminal penalties against landlords who violate the moratorium.

    We encourage all local, state, and national organizations and elected officials to sign onto and share the letter widely before the deadline on January 15!  (Note: Organizations and elected officials that already signed the previous, virtually identical letter to the CDC do not need to re-sign this letter to the incoming Biden administration. You may opt-out by emailing [email protected].)

    Background

    Evictions risk lives, push families deeper into poverty, and further strain our nation’s public health systems. In issuing the federal eviction order in September, the CDC made clear the connection between evictions and our nation’s ability to contain the coronavirus.

    Nearly one in five renters – disproportionately Black and Latino renters – are behind on their rents. Experts estimate that these households already owe between $34 billion to $70 billion in back rent. Without continued federal intervention, up to 30 million to 40 million renters could lose their homes. In addition to the tremendous harm to families and communities, this wave of evictions could conservatively cost the federal government up to $129 billion in shelter, service and other associated costs.

    It is critical that we take all necessary action to protect individuals from evictions and, in worst cases, homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 2020

    2020 Calls to Action

    URGENT: Relief Bill in Peril, Urge the CDC to Extend Eviction Moratorium NOW!

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    President Trump is threatening to oppose the bipartisan, bicameral COVID relief bill that passed Congress with an overwhelming majority of policymakers voting in favor. The bill includes an extension of the CDC eviction moratorium through January 31 and $25 billion in emergency rental assistance, both urgently and desperately needed protections for struggling renters. Three things can happen now: he can sign, veto, or ignore the bill. He seems unlikely to sign the bill, given his sudden critique. If he vetoes the bill, Congress could easily override his veto. The far greater threat to the bill is inaction. If the president does nothing within 10 days of the bill’s enrollment (not including Sundays) and the start of a new Congress, then a “pocket veto” is in effect and the bill dies with the new Congress. For the COVID relief bill, the 10-day period runs past noon on January 3, when a new Congress begins. If the president does nothing, the bill dies at that time.

    In the meantime, federal unemployment benefits for 12 million Americans expires today, funding for the federal government ends, and the government shuts down at midnight on Monday, and the CDC federal eviction moratorium expires on December 31. At that point, tens of millions of people are at high risk of losing their homes, with catastrophic consequences for children, families, communities and our country’s ability to contain the pandemic.

    In the face of such uncertainty and potentially grave consequences, the CDC must act now to extend its own eviction moratorium. Over 1500 organizations from throughout the country joined NLIHC in calling on the CDC director to do so, but he has not yet acted.

    Send an email TODAY to the CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield and Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat urging that they immediately extend, improve, and enforce the eviction moratorium.

    Evictions put lives at risk and strain our already overstretched public health systems. As the CDC makes clear in its order, “eviction moratoria—like quarantine, isolation, and social distancing—can be an effective public health measure utilized to prevent the spread of communicable disease.” The CDC order rightfully holds that, “evictions threaten to increase the spread of COVID-19 as they force people to move, often into close quarters in new shared housing settings with friends or family, or congregate settings such as homeless shelters.” The CDC warned that these challenges “may be exacerbated as fall and winter approach” and found that “immediate action is necessary.” Action is even more essential now, as COVID-19 spreads uncontrollably throughout the country.

    The president may still sign the COVID relief bill into law. Or he may continue sowing chaos and division, while neglecting the urgent and desperate needs of tens of millions of Americans, until the final days of his presidency. In the meantime, the CDC must act to save livesJoin us in urging them to extend the CDC eviction moratorium NOW.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    BREAKING: Emergency Relief Bill Extends Eviction Moratorium and Provides #RentReliefNow!

    Congressional leaders have reached a deal on an emergency COVID-19 relief bill that includes $25 billion in emergency rental assistance and an extension of the CDC’s federal eviction moratorium through January 31! Stay tuned for details of the housing provisions in the COVID-19 relief deal.

    This final bipartisan relief bill will provide essential and badly needed protections for renters, tens of millions of whom would otherwise be at risk of losing their homes this winter. This achievement was made possible by the extraordinary advocacy of NLIHC’s members, partners and allies throughout the country, and the leadership and tenacity of congressional champions Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Denny Heck (D-WA), bipartisan negotiators Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Rob Portman (R-OH), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

    Thank you!

    But we’re not done…now we need the bill to be enacted ASAP!

    The relief package will be attached to a larger omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2021, the text of which may be filed late tonight. The combined legislation will be voted on in the House tomorrow, followed quickly by a vote in the Senate before it heads to the president’s desk for his signature. The House is voting now on a 24-hour Continuing Resolution to continue funding for the federal government while Congress votes on the larger bills. Stay tuned for NLIHC’s full analysis of the omnibus spending bill, including details on funding levels for HUD and USDA affordable housing programs.

    Contact your members of Congress and urge them to quickly enact this vital relief legislation!

    To learn more about the bill’s status and contents, join us on Monday at 2:30 pm ET for a special national call on Coronavirus, Disasters, Housing and Homelessness! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

    Let’s get this essential legislation across the finish line!

    Thank you for your advocacy

    Urgent Action is Needed NOW: Call Your Members of Congress

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    Final decisions over a COVID-19 relief package are being made today, and some Republicans are now opposing the bipartisan agreement to include a one-month extension of the federal eviction moratorium, putting millions of renters at risk of losing their homes starting on January 1.

    Members of Congress cannot go back to their homes for the holidays until they ensure that tens of millions of renters won’t lose their homes this winter, during the height of the pandemic.

    Contact your members of Congress NOW and urge them to support the bipartisan agreement to extend the federal eviction moratorium and provide $25 billion in emergency rental assistance.

    Over 1,500 organizations are joining NLIHC in urging Congress and the CDC to extend the eviction moratorium. Share the letter and your support widely!

    Background


    Nearly one in five renters – disproportionately Black and Latino renters – are behind on their rents. Up to 30 million to 40 million renters are at risk of losing their homes when the eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ends on December 31, during a deadly resurgence of the pandemic. Renters already owe between $34 billion and $70 billion of back rent and will soon face a financial cliff if the CDC moratorium expires. The consequences of congressional inaction will be deadly and costly – for children and families, for communities, and for our country’s ability to contain the pandemic. Evictions risk lives, push families deeper into poverty, and further strain our nation’s public health systems. 

    The bipartisan and bicameral compromise relief bill provides $25 billion in emergency rental assistance and extends through January 31 the CDC eviction moratorium to keep renters in their homes while state and local governments work quickly to distribute aid to households in need. The extension would also allow for President-elect Biden to issue an improved eviction moratorium on his first day in office.

    Some Republicans are now are trying to back out of the bipartisan agreement to include a one-month extension of the eviction moratorium.

    Congressional leaders may reach a decision on this issue today.
     

    Take Action


    Email and call your members of Congress NOW to demand that any COVID-19 relief package includes the bipartisan agreement to extend the federal eviction moratorium.

    Thank you for your advocacy

    Urgent Action Needed for #RentReliefNow

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    The federal eviction moratorium expires in just over two weeks. By then, renters will owe an estimated $70 billion in back rent, more than they can ever pay off. If the federal government doesn’t intervene, tens of millions of people will lose their homes this winter, during the height of COVID-19. The consequences will be catastrophic - for children, families, communities and our country’s ability to contain the pandemic. Watch and share Diane Yentel on CNN International, discussing the stakes and urgency for action.

    A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives have agreed on a compromise COVID relief package. Congressional leadership are currently considering and finalizing the proposal. A deal will likely be announced soon. Congress MUST ACT NOW to take these desperately and urgently needed actions:

    Extend, Improve and Enforce the CDC Eviction Moratorium
     

    The Congressional bipartisan agreement on a COVID-19 relief package includes an extension of the CDC eviction moratorium through January 31, and pairs it with $25B in emergency rental assistance! The extension of the eviction moratorium gives time for states and cities to get emergency rental assistance to renters and landlords, and for President-elect Biden to issue a strengthened eviction moratorium on his first day in office.

    Thank you the over 1,500 organizations that joined NLIHC in urging the CDC to extend, improve and enforce its eviction moratorium, which they have the authority to do NOW. We’ve sent the final letter to the CDC today. Tweet about it to show your support! In January, we’ll revise and send the same letter to President-elect Biden urging immediate action after his inauguration.
     

    Provide Emergency Rental Assistance
     

    The bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill includes $25 billion in emergency rental assistance to keep renters stably housed! The program would be administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to ensure the assistance gets to communities quickly and the funds are targeted to the renters most at risk of eviction.

    For more details on the housing provisions in the bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill, read NLIHC’s fact sheet. See NLIHC’s estimate of how much emergency rental assistance each state will receive under the proposal (note: these estimates combine allocations to the state government and local jurisdictions within each state).
     

    Extend the Spending Deadline for Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Rental Assistance Programs

    Communities have created over 500 emergency rental assistance programs during the pandemic. NLIHC has tracked them all. Most have spent the money quickly, efficiently and effectively. Some have struggled with capacity and other challenges and need more time to get the funds to renters in need. Read this New York Times article on the challenges and need for an extension: “Use it or Lose it: Tenant Aid Effort Nears a Federal Cutoff.”
     

    The bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill would extend the spending deadline for these programs and ensure these funds are not reverted to the Treasury
     

    Take Action!

     

    Call Congress and urge them to enact the COVID-19 relief bill NOW!

    The bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill could be added to the final omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The current continuing resolution (CR) expires on December 18. At that time, Congress must pass another CR or a final spending bill, or risk a government shutdown. Congress may enact a short-term CR to provide them with the time needed to approve a combined omnibus-COVID-19 relief bill as soon as this weekend or early next week.
     

    Thank you for your advocacy

     

    Deadline Today:
    Join Over 1,000 Organizations Demanding CDC Keep Families Housed During the Pandemic

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    Today (December 15) is the final day to join more than 1,000 organizations signing onto a national letter urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent a catastrophic wave of evictions this winter by extending, improving, and enforcing the federal eviction moratorium.

    Without immediate action, the CDC moratorium will expire in 16 days on December 31, and tens of millions of low-income renters will be at risk of losing their home and, with it, their ability to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.

    We encourage all local, state, and national organizations and elected officials to sign onto the letter to ensure households are able to remain safely, stably housed for the duration of the pandemic.

    Click here to sign the letter!

    Background

    Evictions risk lives, push families deeper into poverty, and further strain our nation’s public health systems. In issuing the federal eviction order in September, the CDC made clear the connection between evictions and our nation’s ability to contain the coronavirus.

    Nearly one in five renters – disproportionately Black and Latino renters – are behind on their rents. Experts estimate that these households will owe between $34 billion to $70 billion in back rent when the moratorium expires on December 31. Without an extension, up to 30 million to 40 million renters could lose their homes. In addition to the tremendous harm to families and communities, this wave of evictions could cost the federal government up to $129 billion in shelter, service and other associated costs.

    NLIHC and our partners across the country are urging the CDC to extend the eviction moratorium to ensure there is not a gap in protections before President-elect Biden and Congress can reach a deal on a comprehensive relief package that includes a broad moratorium on evictions and at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance. We are also urging the CDC to strengthen the moratorium by closing loopholes and making it easier for renters to be protected, and to enforce the criminal penalties included in the CDC order against landlords who violate the moratorium.

    Take Action

    Join us in urging the CDC to take immediate action to extend, improve, and enforce the federal eviction moratorium to keep renters stably housed during the pandemic. Any national, state, or local organization or elected official can sign on.

    Please share this letter and encourage organizations in your networks to sign on before today’s deadline!

    Click here to sign the letter!

     

    Action Needed: Urge Congress to Pass Bipartisan Pandemic Relief Bill!

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    A bipartisan group of senators and representatives just released compromise COVID-19 relief legislation, including $25 billion for emergency rental assistance and a one-month extension of the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)!

    Thanks to the hard and effective work of advocates across the nation and the leadership of congressional champions Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Denny Heck (D-WA), bipartisan negotiators Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Rob Portman (R-OH), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), this bipartisan emergency relief bill is an essential and urgently needed step towards keeping low-income renters housed this winter.

    Congress needs to hear from you! Please contact your senators and representatives to urge them to enact this emergency legislation NOW. Then, they must return in January to continue work on a broader and more comprehensive relief package.

    Contact your senators and representatives

    Background

    Up to 30 million to 40 million renters are at risk of losing their homes when the CDC eviction moratorium ends on December 31, during a deadly resurgence of the pandemic. Renters already owe between $34 billion and $70 billion of back rent and will soon face a financial cliff if the CDC moratorium expires. The consequences of congressional inaction will be deadly and costly – for children and families, for communities, and for our country’s ability to contain the pandemic.

    The bipartisan and bicameral compromise relief bill provides $25 billion in emergency rental assistance funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) and administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Funds will be used for households below 80% of area median income (AMI), with a preference for those below 50% AMI, to cover costs of rent and rental utilities or arrears. The legislation requires cities and states to prioritize households most at risk of eviction in the coming months.

    The bill also extends, through January 31, the CDC eviction moratorium to keep renters in their homes while state and local governments work quickly to distribute aid to households in need. The extension would also allow for President-elect Biden to issue an improved eviction moratorium on his first day in office. The CDC moratorium extends vital protections to millions of renters but must be improved and enforced.

    The compromise relief package may be attached to a final omnibus spending package or continuing resolution (CR) for fiscal year 2021 and enacted into law before the end of the year. The current continuing resolution expires on December 18. At that time, Congress must pass a final spending bill or another continuing resolution to keep the government open, or it risks a government shutdown.

    After enacting these vital resources and protections, Congress must return in January to continue work on comprehensive solutions to prevent a tsunami of evictions and to address the urgent health and housing needs of low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    See NLIHC’s statement about the legislation at:  https://bit.ly/2KtXWkD

    See and share NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel’s twitter thread about the legislation at: https://bit.ly/2KqnO13

    Take Action

    Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to quickly enact this bipartisan, emergency COVID-relief bill now, and then return in January to work on a broader, more comprehensive relief package.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

     

    Join Over 800 Organizations Demanding the CDC Keep Families Housed During the Pandemic!

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    Last week, NLIHC launched a national sign-on letter urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent a catastrophic wave of evictions this winter by extending, improving, and enforcing the federal eviction moratorium. More than 800 national, state, and local organizations and elected officials from around country have since joined us in calling on the CDC to ensure households are able to remain safely, stably housed throughout the duration of the pandemic.

    Without immediate action, the CDC’s moratorium will expire in three weeks on December 31, and tens of millions of low-income renters will be at risk of losing their home and, with it, their ability to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.

    We encourage all local, state, and national organizations and elected officials to sign onto the letter before the deadline on December 15.


    Click here to sign the letter!


    Background


    Evictions risk lives, push families deeper into poverty, and further strain our nation’s public health systems. In issuing the federal eviction order in September, the CDC made clear the connection between evictions and our nation’s ability to contain the coronavirus.

    Nearly one in five renters – disproportionately Black and Latino renters – are behind on their rents. Experts estimate that these households will owe between $34 billion to $70 billion in back rent when the moratorium expires on December 31. Without an extension, up to 30 million to 40 million renters could lose their homes. In addition to the tremendous harm to families and communities, this wave of evictions could cost the federal government up to $129 billion in shelter, service and other associated costs.

    NLIHC and our partners across the country are urging the CDC to extend the eviction moratorium through at least March 2020 to provide the incoming Biden administration and newly elected Congress time to further extend the moratorium and enact a relief package that includes robust housing and homelessness resources. We are also urging the CDC to strengthen the moratorium by closing loopholes and better protecting renters, and to enforce the criminal penalties included in the CDC order against landlords who violate the moratorium.


    Take Action


    Join us in urging the CDC to take immediate action to extend, improve, and enforce the federal eviction moratorium to keep renters stably housed during the pandemic.

    Please share this letter and encourage organizations in your network to sign on before the December 15 deadline!

     

    URGENT: Call Your Members of Congress TODAY to Urge Agreement on a COVID Relief Bill with #RentReliefNow!

    December 7, 2020

    Congressional leaders are moving quickly to negotiate final details in a compromise COVID-19 relief package intended to provide critical aid, including $25 billion in emergency rental assistance, for the next three months. A deal could be reached in as soon as the next few days.

    Your advocacy is urgently needed TODAY to ensure Congress includes in a final compromise bill robust housing and homelessness resources and protections!

    Take Action!

    Congress needs to hear from you about the need to protect renters and people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.

    We urge advocates to contact your members of Congress today to demand:

    1. At least $25 billion for 3 months of emergency rental assistance targeted to households most at risk of losing their homes this winter.
    2. A broad, national eviction moratorium to keep renters in their homes when the federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expires on December 31.
    3. The highest level of funding possible for housing vouchers and Emergency Solutions Grants to address the urgent health and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness.

    After you’ve contacted your members of Congress, please sign your organization onto a national letter urging the CDC to extend, strengthen, and enforce its eviction moratorium to keep renters in their homes during the pandemic. Share the letter widely with other local, state, or national organizations or elected officials. The due date for signatures is December 15.

    Background

    This week, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives have been negotiating the details of a compromise coronavirus relief package, including $25 billion in emergency rental assistance, to help address the nation’s most urgent needs over the next three months. They are also considering an extended eviction moratorium as part of the compromise deal. While far more resources and measures will be needed, this immediate relief package is vital to address the health and housing needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    If congressional leaders reach a deal on a compromise relief package, it will likely be attached to a final omnibus spending package or continuing resolution (CR) for fiscal year 2021 and enacted into law before the end of the year. The current continuing resolution expires on December 11, and Congress is expected to extend the CR for at least 1 week. At that time, Congress must pass a final spending bill or another continuing resolution to keep the government open, or it risks a government shutdown.

    Renters can’t wait any longer. Nearly one in five renters – disproportionately Black and Latino – have fallen behind on their rent during the pandemic. The CDC’s federal eviction moratorium expires on December 31, and renters will fall off a financial cliff when an estimated $34 billion to $70 billion in back rent becomes due. Without federal intervention, tens of millions of renters – predominantly people of color – could lose their homes this winter, with catastrophic consequences for children, families, communities, and our country’s efforts to contain the pandemic.

    NLIHC’s top priorities for any relief package include at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance and housing vouchers, a strengthened national eviction moratorium, and $11.5 billion to respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

     

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    Join NLIHC and advocates from across the nation by signing your organization onto a national letter urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent a catastrophic wave of evictions this winter by extending, improving, and enforcing the federal eviction moratorium. When the moratorium expires on December 31, tens of millions of low-income renters will be at risk of losing their home and, with it, their ability to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy. The consequences would be devastating – for children and families, for communities, and for our country’s ability to contain the pandemic.

    The CDC must act immediately to extend the eviction moratorium and ensure there is not a gap in protections before President-elect Biden and Congress can reach a deal on a comprehensive relief package that includes a broad moratorium on evictions and at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance.

    We encourage all local, state, and national organizations and elected officials to sign onto the letter before the deadline on December 15.

    Click here to sign the letter!

    Background

    Evictions risk lives, push families deeper into poverty, and further strain our nation’s public health systems. In issuing the federal eviction order in September, the CDC made clear the connection between evictions and our nation’s ability to contain the coronavirus.

    Nearly one in five renters – disproportionately Black and Latino renters – are behind on their rents. Experts estimate that these households will owe between $34 billion to $70 billion in back rent when the moratorium expires on December 31. Without an extension, up to 30 million to 40 million renters could lose their homes. In addition to the tremendous harm to families and communities, this wave of evictions could conservatively cost the federal government up to $129 billion in shelter, service and other associated costs.

    NLIHC and our partners across the country are urging the CDC to extend the eviction moratorium through at least March 2021 to provide the incoming Biden administration and newly elected Congress time to further extend the moratorium and enact a relief package that includes robust housing and homelessness resources. We are also urging the CDC to strengthen the moratorium by closing loopholes and making it easier for renters to be protected, and to enforce the criminal penalties included in the CDC order against landlords who violate the moratorium.

    Take Action

    Join us in urging the CDC to take immediate action to extend, improve, and enforce the federal eviction moratorium to keep renters stably housed during the pandemic.

    Please share this letter and encourage organizations in your network to sign on before the December 15 deadline!

    Eviction filings by corporate landlords surged after CDC issued an eviction ban

    Subject Line:Outrageous

    September 15, 2020

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    Evidence is growing that corporate landlords are trying to rush evictions through court systems before renters learn about their rights under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) eviction moratorium. These are the same corporate landlords who repeatedly attempted illegal evictions under the more limited CARES Act eviction moratorium.

    This is outrageous and truly despicable.

    The CDC eviction moratorium protects eligible renters that have signed a declarative statement, but most renters remain unaware of the moratorium and the steps they must take to protect their homes!

    Help us get the word out!

    To be protected by the CDC’s eviction moratorium for nonpayment of rent, qualified renters facing eviction should immediately provide a signed declaration to their landlords! Details about the moratorium and a sample declaration are on NLIHC’s National Moratorium webpage that includes materials developed by NLIHC, NHLP and other national partners, including:

    Please do all you can to get the word out about the moratorium and declarations to all renters!  Urge your members of Congress and policymakers at all levels to inform struggling constituents of their protections under the CDC order. 

    Then, continue to urge Congress and the White House to #GetBacktoWork to enact the essential housing and homelessness provisions included in the HEROES Act and passed by the House four months ago!

    The federal eviction moratorium is essential relief for struggling renters, but it merely postpones evictions – it doesn’t prevent them. Renters are accruing more debt than they can possibly pay off, and small landlords are increasingly struggling to pay their bills without rental income. Congress must provide at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to keep renters stably housed during and after the pandemic and to ensure we don’t lose any of our country’s essential housing stock.

    Take Action 

    1. Share information with renters about the federal eviction moratorium and the steps they must take to be protected!
    2. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress and the White House restart negotiations and pass the essential housing and homelessness provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
    3. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people get and stay stably housed.
    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    National Federal Eviction Moratorium Takes Effect Today! 

    Subject LineNational Eviction Moratorium Takes Effect Today! Learn About Protections and Steps Renters Must Take!

    Sept. 04, 2020

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    federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) takes effect today, September 4, extending vital protections to tens of millions of renters at risk of eviction for nonpayment of rent during the global pandemic.

    Now we must work to ensure that every renter in need knows about this protection and takes the steps necessary to stay in their home. And we must push Congress and the White House to #GetBacktoWork on a COVID-19 relief bill that pairs a national eviction moratorium with at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance.

    What’s Next?

    To be protected, qualified renters facing eviction should immediately provide a signed declaration to their landlords. For more details about the moratorium and a sample declaration that renters can use, read NLIHC’s and NHLP’s Overview of National Eviction Moratorium and our National Eviction Moratorium: FAQ for Renters.

    The federal eviction moratorium is essential relief for struggling renters, but it merely postpones evictions – it doesn’t prevent them. When the moratorium expires on December 31, 2020, back rent will be due, and renters will be unable to pay. In the meantime, small landlords who rely on rental income to maintain and operate their properties will increasingly struggle to pay their bills.

    Congress must provide at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to keep renters stably housed during and after the pandemic and to ensure we don’t lose any of our country’s essential housing stock.

    Learn More

    Join NLIHC’s national call on coronavirus, disasters, housing and homelessness on Tuesday, September 8 at 2:30-4:00 pm ET for an in-depth discussion on the federal eviction moratorium and critical steps renters must take to ensure they are protected. Our partners at the National Housing Law Project will join us for the discussion. We will also hear about the latest data on evictions from Matthew Desmond and Peter Hepburn from the Eviction Lab at Princeton University and discuss national advocacy efforts. Register for the call here!

    Take Action 

    1. Share information with renters about the federal eviction moratorium and the steps they must take to be protected! See NLIHC and NHLP’s Overview and FAQ for more details on the moratorium and a sample declaration form that renters can use. 
    2. Participate in the #GetBackToWork National Twitterstorm on September 9 from 1pm to 2pm ET to tell Congress that housing stability during and after this pandemic cannot wait. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
    3. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress and the White House restart negotiations and pass the essential housing and homelessness provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
    4. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people get and stay stably housed.
    5. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.

    Thank you for your advocacy!

    TAKE ACTION

     

    White House Issues Broad Moratorium on Evictions!

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    White House Issues Broad Moratorium on Evictions!

    September 1, 2020

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    Today, the Centers for Disease Control took the extraordinary and unprecedented action of issuing a national moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent. The action is long overdue, badly needed and will provide essential protection to millions of renters. The very least the federal government ought to do during a global pandemic is assure each of us that we won’t lose our homes in the midst of it: the administration’s action would do just that and will provide relief from a growing threat of eviction for millions of anxious families. The moratorium takes effect on September 4.

    While an eviction moratorium during the pandemic is essential, it is a half-measure that delays but does not prevent evictions. Congress and the White House must get back to work on negotiations to enact a COVID-19 relief bill with at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance. Together with a national eviction moratorium, this assistance would keep renters stably housed and small landlords able to pay their bills and maintain their properties during the pandemic.

    Read NLIHC’s statement on the eviction moratorium here: https://nlihc.org/news/statement-national-low-income-housing-coalition-president-and-ceo-diane-yentel-white-house

    Contact your members of Congress TODAY and urge them to restart negotiations and enact comprehensive relief legislation immediately.

    Background

    The Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today an order to temporarily halt evictions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Citing the historic threat to public health, the Trump administration declared that an eviction moratorium would help ensure that people are able to practice social distancing and comply with stay-at-home orders. The announcement cites the increased risk of spreading coronavirus when people are evicted from their home or experience homelessness. The order takes effect on September 4.

    To be covered under this action, renters must sign and provide to their landlord a declaration that they (1) have used their best efforts to obtain rental assistance; (2) expect to earn no more than $99,000 in 2020 (or no more than $198,000 if filing a joint tax return), was not required to report income in 2019 to the IRS, or received an Economic Impact Payment under the CARES Act; (3) are unable to pay the full rent or make a full rent payment due to loss of income, loss of work hours, or extraordinary medical costs; (4) are using best efforts to make partial rent payments; and (5) an eviction would result in homelessness or force them to double or triple up with other households. The eviction moratorium lasts through December 31, 2020.

    The eviction moratorium does not provide emergency rental assistance resources to cover back rent, utilities, or fees. For this reason, the moratorium only postpones evictions rather than preventing them.

    The only way to protect the 30 to 40 million renters at risk of losing their homes by the end of the year is for Congress and the White House return to the negotiating table and work out a deal for the next coronavirus relief package that includes the essential resources and protections provided in the HEROES Act. Congress must enact legislation that includes NLIHC’s top priorities: a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the "Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” and housing vouchers; and $11.5 billion to help prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.

    Take Action 
    1. Participate in the #GetBackToWork National Twitterstorm on September 9 from 1pm to 2pm ET to tell Congress that housing stability during and after this pandemic cannot wait. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
    2. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress and the White House restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
    3. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people stay stably housed.
    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.

    Thank you for your advocacy!


    TAKE ACTION

     

    On August 24, Tell Congress to #DoYourJob and #GetBackToWork

    Subject line

    Join Aug. 24 Day of Action to Demand Congress #GetBacktoWork & Pass COVID Relief Package

    Despite the growing threat of eviction and homelessness, Congress adjourned for August recess, leaving millions of renters and people experiencing homelessness without the resources and protections they need to remain stably housed. 

    Time has run out for millions of families across the country. Join NLIHC, the Coalition on Human Needs, and other advocates across the nation for a Day of Action on August 24 to demand that Congress #GetBackToWork and immediately pass a coronavirus relief bill that includes the essential resources and protections for America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness included in the “HEROES Act.”

    Take Action on August 24
    1. Call and email your senators and representatives. Tell them to #DoYourJob, get back to the negotiating table and immediately pass the essential housing provisions in the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email! Use the sample script below.
    2. Use NLIHC’s advocacy toolkit to schedule meetings with members of Congress and engage with them on housing talking points.
    3. Amplify personal stories, news articles, blog posts, and other information on social media about how congressional inaction is exacerbating evictions and harming people with the lowest incomes. Include #GetBackToWork, #DoYourJob, and #RentReliefNow in your social media posts. Use NLIHC’s social media toolkit for sample posts and images. Additional sample social media posts for the Day of Action are below.
    4. Share stories with NLIHC on how the threat of being evicted has impacted your well-being. Fill out NLIHC’s story banking form and we’ll share your stories with members of Congress, reporters, and on social media.
    5. Pitch op-eds to your local newspapers about the need for Congress to restart negotiations and how the pandemic is harming low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. NLIHC’s #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit contains an op-ed template that you can use to help get you started
     
    Sample Script to Use When Calling or Emailing Members of Congress:

    I’m calling/emailing to urge you to get back to work, do your job, and work with your colleagues to immediately pass a coronavirus relief package that includes funding to meet the urgent needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    Eviction risks lives, pushes families deeper into poverty, and further strains our nation’s public health system, making it more difficult to contain the virus.  People experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to contracting coronavirus, and once infected are more likely to require critical care and die from the disease. Ensuring people can remain stably housed in the middle of a pandemic is not only a moral imperative; it’s a public health necessity.

    The next coronavirus relief package must include funding to help keep America’s lowest-income renters stably housed. Congress should provide at least $100 billion for emergency rental assistance, a uniform moratorium on all foreclosures and evictions, and $11.5 billion to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

    The time for political games and brinksmanship has long passed. Negotiations must restart, and a comprehensive deal that includes robust housing and homelessness protections and resources must be reached as soon as possible.

    Sample Social Media Posts for the Day of Action:
    • It’s 8/24 & millions of Americans will be tripling up in homes or moving to shelters because the 30-day notice on evictions in the #CARESAct has expired. #GetBacktoWork Senate! We need #RentReliefNow https://tinyurl.com/y7hdl9zb
    • Landlords started filing evictions on 7/24. Now it’s 1 month later & we’re going to start seeing a new wave of evictions. #DoYourJob Senate! Help families #stablyhouse during #COVID19 by passing #RentReliefNow https://tinyurl.com/y7hdl9zb
    • 30-40M people are at high risk of eviction. The Senate needs to #GetBacktoWork, pass legislation that provides #RentReliefNow & keep these families from facing eviction https://tinyurl.com/y7hdl9zb
    • Time has run out for families across the U.S. who were scraping together resources to keep from getting evicted once the 30-day notice to evict in the #CARESAct ended. Senate, #DoYourJob! Help these families keep their homes. Support #RentReliefNow https://tinyurl.com/y7hdl9zb
    • #CARESAct eviction protections expire today & millions of families don’t see any relief in sight. The Senate must #GetBacktoWork & help their constituents keep roofs over their heads during #COVID19 https://tinyurl.com/y7hdl9zb
    • #TrumpsEO did NOTHING to help with evictions & homelessness. Now, millions of families are out of time & can no longer stay in their homes. The Senate must #GetBacktoWork & do what they can to help these families #stablyhouse https://tinyurl.com/y7hdl9zb
     
    Background

    Without immediate action by Congress, 30 to 40 million renters are at risk of being evicted by the end of the year. Even before expanded unemployment benefits and the federal eviction moratorium expired at the end of July, 1 in 5 adults were behind on rent. Experts estimate that renters already owe $25 billion in back rent and could owe as much as $70 billion by the end of the year – an amount they cannot possibly pay back.

    Senate Republicans unveiled yesterday a revised coronavirus relief proposal that is even more unacceptable and inadequate than their first one (“HEALS Act”); the new proposal does not even include the woefully inadequate $3.3 billion in housing resources in the “HEALS Act.” See a statement by NLIHC CEO Diane Yentel about this new Republican gambit at: https://bit.ly/3iQy9iC  

    The White House and congressional leaders must return to the negotiating table and work out a deal for the next coronavirus relief package that includes the essential resources and protections provided in the HEROES Act, including NLIHC’s top priorities: a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the "Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” and housing vouchers; and $11.5 billion to help prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.

    The stakes could not be higher. Every day of inaction puts more seniors, people with disabilities, families, and other individuals at imminent risk of losing their homes.

    TAKE ACTION

     

    Renters Can’t Wait!

    Congress and the White House Must Return to the Negotiating Table NOW.

    Subject LineDemand that Negotiations Resume! Renters Can’t Wait!

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    Last week, President Trump walked away from the negotiating table when he released an executive order that would do nothing to protect renters. With negotiations stalled, tens of millions of renters are left at high risk of losing their homes.

    Contact your members of Congress TODAY! The time for political games and brinksmanship has long passed. Negotiations must restart, and a comprehensive deal that includes robust housing and homelessness protections and resources must be reached as soon as possible.

    Take Action
    1. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
    2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people stay stably housed.
    3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.
    Background

    On August 8, President Trump backed away from negotiations and signed an empty shell of an executive order.  As NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel said in a recent statement, the executive order “does nothing to prevent evictions and homelessness and acts only to mislead renters into believing they are protected when they are not.” The president signed the executive order despite growing bipartisan support for congressional action to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    Without significant and sustained action by Congress, 30 to 40 million renters are at risk of being evicted by the end of the year.

    The president and congressional leaders must return to the negotiating table and work out a deal for the next coronavirus relief package that includes the essential resources and protections provided in the HEROES Act, including NLIHC’s top priorities: a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the "Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” and housing vouchers; and $11.5 billion to help prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.

    The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of providing essential rental assistance to households at risk of eviction and homelessness.

    The stakes could not be higher. Every day of inaction puts more seniors, people with disabilities, families, and other individuals at imminent risk of losing their homes.

    Join us in demanding comprehensive solutions NOW.

    Thank you for your crucial advocacy!

    TAKE ACTION

     

    The Time For Political Games Has Long Passed. We Need #RentReliefNow!
    Subject lineThe Time For Political Games Has Long Passed. We Need #RentReliefNow!

    Today, President Trump signed an executive order purporting to stop evictions, but he provided no details on how this order would keep struggling renters in their homes. The President’s action is woefully inadequate, creating confusion and chaos at a time when renters need assurance that they will not be kicked out of their homes during a pandemic.

    The time for political games, half-measures, and brinkmanship has long passed. President Trump must go back to the negotiating table to work out a comprehensive deal with Congress to prevent tens of millions of renters from losing their homes in the coming months. We need to #StopEvictions and provide #RentReliefNow!

    Take Action
    1. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress pass the essential housing and homelessness provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
    2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.
    3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.
    Background

    The president’s authority to establish a broad national eviction moratorium in the absence of congressional action is questionable and will almost certainly be quickly challenged in court by landlord associations. Even if upheld in court, this executive order would be a half-measure. And in many ways, it’s an empty shell: despite Trump declaring he would stop evictions, the EO provides no clear directive for any entity to do so. Because the purported moratorium is not paired with substantial emergency rental assistance it could, at best (and this is highly questionable), merely postpone evictions nationwide - it will not prevent them. Read NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel’s full statement here.

    Economist Mark Zandi estimates that renters already owe $25 billion in back rent and could owe as much as $70 billion by the end of the year.  Without significant and sustained congressional action, 30 million to 40 million renters are at risk of being evicted by the end of the year.

    The president and Congress must ensure the next coronavirus relief package includes the essential resources and protections provided in the HEROES Act, including NLIHC’s top priorities: a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the "Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act" and housing vouchers; and $11.5 billion to help prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.

    Every day of inaction puts more seniors, people with disabilities, families, and other individuals at imminent risk of losing their homes in the middle of a pandemic. Join us in demanding comprehensive solutions NOW.

    Thank you for your crucial advocacy!

    TAKE ACTION

     

    We Are Making Progress – Don’t Let Up!

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    Thanks to your advocacy, we are continuing to gain ground in building support for essential housing and homelessness resources and protections as negotiations for the next coronavirus relief package move forward. The White House has put rental assistance on the table for negotiations and has called for an executive order on eviction moratoriums, although both offers are inadequate to address the urgent need. More than a dozen Republican lawmakers have weighed in with their leadership in support of measures to prevent evictions and homelessness. Democratic leadership continues to hold firm on NLIHC’s top priorities to address the health and housing needs of the lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    The stakes could not be higher, and now is a key moment for advocates. Together, we can make a real difference. Keep calling on your members of Congress to ensure robust resources and protections for the lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness remain a priority in negotiations.

    Even if you have already reached out – do so again today!

    Take Action
    1. Contact your senators and representatives again today: Demand that Congress pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
    2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.
    3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.
    Background

    Thanks to your advocacy, lawmakers are increasingly feeling the pressure to act to ensure housing stability during the coronavirus pandemic and address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

    It is unclear when a deal will be reached, but so far, all of NLIHC’s top priorities are on the table: a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act;” $11.5 billion to help address the health and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness; and at least $13 billion in additional resources to ensure housing stability.

    It is critical that advocates do not let up the pressure until a final deal is reached. “The stakes could not be higher during this public health crisis,” NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel warned in a press statement. “Ensuring that everyone is stably housed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a moral imperative – it is a public health necessity.”

    Contact your members of Congress now!

    Thank you for your crucial advocacy!

    TAKE ACTION

     

    Keep Pushing Congress to Provide Housing Stability in Next Coronavirus Relief Package!

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    Your advocacy over the last several months is having a tremendous impact. Thanks to your hard work, there is growing bipartisan support for robust resources and protections for low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness in the next coronavirus relief package.

    It is critical that advocates keep up the pressure on their Senators and Representatives. Congress may reach a deal soon, and a tsunami of evictions is coming if Congress fails to act.

    The moment is now – Keep contacting your members of Congress!

    Take Action
    1. Contact your senators and representatives again today: Demand that Congress pass the essential housing and homelessness provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
    2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.
    3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.
    Background

    While negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House are moving slowly, we are making significant progress! Thanks to your advocacy over the past several months, all of NLIHC’s top priorities are on the table for negotiations: a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act;” $11.5 billion to help address the health and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness; and at least $13 billion in additional resources to ensure housing stability.

    There is now bipartisan interest in renewing some type of federal eviction moratorium, and about a dozen Republican Senators have weighed in with Senate leadership about protecting renters at risk of eviction. Democratic champions are holding firm on the need for essential resources and protections for America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    Without swift and significant federal intervention our nation will see a devastating – yet entirely preventable – eviction and homelessness crisis. The federal eviction moratorium and expanded unemployment benefits have expired, and renters have no protections in more than half of all states. Before rent was due again on August 1, renters owed more than an estimated $21.5 billion in back rent; many of these households will need emergency rental assistance to help keep them in their homes.

     “The stakes couldn’t be higher during this public health crisis,” NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel warned in a press statement. “Ensuring that everyone is stably housed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a moral imperative – it is a public health necessity.”

    Contact your members of Congress now!

    Thank you for your crucial advocacy!

     

    Renters Can’t Wait: Tell Congress to Fund #RentReliefNow!

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    We need #RentReliefNow! More than 1 in 4 adults either missed last month’s rent payment or have little to no confidence they can make next month’s payment on time due to the pandemic. The eviction moratoriums on federally backed apartments expired on July 24, statewide protections are quickly ending, and rent is due again in just two days. People experiencing homelessness are at high risk of contracting, becoming very ill or dying, and potentially spreading COVID-19.

    Renters and people experiencing homelessness can’t wait. Contact your members of Congress TODAY and tell them that it is unconscionable and unacceptable to allow people to remain unhoused or to lose their homes during a pandemic.

    Take Action Today
    1. Contact your senators and representative today:  tell them that the Senate proposal is unacceptable and that Congress must pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!

    2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.

    3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!

    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.

    Background

    While the Senate Republican proposal for the next coronavirus relief package would do next to nothing to stem the tide of evictions that has already begun, NLIHC is already seeing that your advocacy is having an impact. Democratic leaders are continuing to focus on the threat of evictions, and in our meetings with Hill staff, we are hearing from more Republican members of Congress about the need for emergency rental assistance. President Trump even called for a short-term extension of the federal eviction moratoriums, and while this is insufficient, his statement marks the first time the president has acknowledged the looming eviction crisis. Policymakers are feeling pressure to act!

    Together, we’re making progress, but we have so much work ahead of us to ensure that renters with the lowest incomes and people experiencing homelessness are protected!

    Congress must pass essential housing and homelessness protections in the HEROES Act – including NLIHC’s top priorities – a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act;” $11.5 billion to help address the health and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness; and at least $13 billion in additional resources to ensure housing stability.

    As NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel described in a press statement, “The stakes couldn’t be higher during this public health crisis: Ensuring that everyone is stably housed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a moral imperative – it is a public health necessity.

    Contact your members of Congress now!

    Thank you for your crucial advocacy!


     

    Urgent Action is Needed: Contact Your Members of Congress Today!

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    After months of harmful and unnecessary delays, Senate Republicans released today a coronavirus relief package that would leave millions of America’s lowest-income renters at risk of evictions and homelessness due to the pandemic. It also leaves people currently experiencing homelessness without any of the resources they need to stay safe during this public health crisis.

    Congress needs to hear from advocates TODAY! Please contact your senators and representatives and tell them that it is immoral and unacceptable to allow people to lose their homes during a pandemic. It has never been clearer that housing is healthcare!

    Take Action Today
    1. Contact your senators and representatives today and tell them that the Senate proposal is unacceptable and that Congress must pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!

    2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.

    3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!

    4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.

    Background

    Without a significant and sustained federal intervention, between 19 million and 23 million renters may lose their homes in the coming months. The wave of evictions has already begun; Congress must act to prevent it from being a tsunami, and we are running out of time.

    Despite the clear and urgent need, Senate Republicans propose only $3.3 billion to assist those households living in public housing or receiving HUD vouchers or USDA rental assistance. The proposal includes no emergency rental assistance for the millions of unassisted households facing evictions and homelessness during the pandemic. The proposal also fails to extend the federal moratorium on evictions that expired last week due or to expand it to cover all renters. The proposal includes no resources to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness who are at great risk of severe illness and death due to the virus. And it calls for slashing unemployment insurance (UI) payments for millions of low-wage workers who lost jobs during the pandemic, many of whom have used the benefits to stay housed.

    This lack of housing protections and insufficient resources is unconscionable and unacceptable. It is also shortsighted; evictions risk lives, drive families deeper into poverty, further burden overstretched hospital systems, and make it much more difficult for the country to contain the virus. And, as NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel described in a press statement, the proposed funding “is a drop in an ocean of need among unsubsidized renters and people experiencing homelessness.” Read the full statement at: https://bit.ly/3jLn0kA

    Congress must pass essential housing and homelessness protections in the HEROES Act – including NLIHC’s top priorities – a national, uniform moratorium on evictions to cover all renters; $100 billion in emergency rental assistance through the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act”; $11.5 billion to help address the health and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness; and $13 billion in additional resources to ensure housing stability.

    The stakes could not be higher during this public health crisis: Every day of inaction puts more low-income seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, and others at immediate risk of losing their homes. Ensuring that everyone is stably housed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a moral imperative – it is a public health necessity.

    There is broad support for emergency housing resources in the HEROES Act. More than 950 organizations signed onto a letter supporting the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” included the HEROES Act. Nearly 750 organizations signed onto a letter supporting the full scope of housing provisions in the HEROES Act. Add your organization onto these letters here.

    Contact your members of Congress now!


    Take Action! Help Stop HUD’s Proposed Rule to Allow Discrimination Against Transgender People Experiencing Homelessness

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    HUD published today a proposed rule change that would remove protections against discrimination of transgender and gender non-conforming people experiencing homelessness, severely limiting their ability to access emergency shelters and services. The proposed rule is the latest in a series of attacks by the Trump administration against the LBGTQ+ community.

    Take action and help stop this harmful proposal by submitting comments in opposition by September 22. Tell the Trump administration and HUD that everyone has the right to access homeless shelters and other emergency services paid for with taxpayer dollars. Access to shelter and housing is a fundamental necessity—no one should be left in the street because of bigotry.

    Background

    Under HUD’s 2016 Equal Access Rule, all federally funded housing, facilities, and services must ensure equal access to programs, benefits, services, and accommodations for all individuals regardless of gender identity and without intrusive questioning or documentation requirements. This rule improved the treatment of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals without homes, allowing them to safely secure shelter and emergency services without being turned away due to discrimination.

    HUD Secretary Ben Carson’s proposed rule would remove anti-discrimination protections for transgender people seeking shelter by allowing shelter providers to refuse services to them based solely on their gender identity. HUD justifies the proposal by citing “religious freedom” and supposed privacy and safety concerns rooted in negative stereotypes rather than on evidence.

    NLIHC, True Colors United, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Housing Law Project, and other national organizations have launched the Housing Saves Lives campaign to oppose this anti-transgender rule. Advocacy tools and resources you can use to oppose the proposal are available at HousingSavesLives.org  

    How You Can Submit Comments

    The Housing Saves Lives campaign is calling for individuals and organizations to submit public comments in opposition to HUD’s proposed rule before the September 22 deadline.

    Comments are most helpful when they are personalized and unique. To help craft your unique comment please use this template and submit your comment to HUD through a portal at HousingSavesLives.org.

    To keep up with the latest news and resources go to HousingSavesLives.org


    Virtual Lobby Day Is Next Week! The U.S. Senate will move on a COVID-19 spending package before the end of July. The window is closing for needed advocacy. The time to act is now!

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    NLIHC and our partners throughout the country have been hard at work urging Congress to adopt our key priorities in the next COVID legislative package, including: $100 billion in emergency rental assistance, a national eviction moratorium, and $11.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grant funding for homeless service providers. Now is the time for advocates to take action to demand #RentReliefNow!

    Participate in a Virtual Lobby Day on July 21!

    When the Senate returns to work on July 20, they will begin discussions and negotiations on a spending package to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recession. Any final bill must include the housing provisions of HEROES Act that has passed in the House of Representatives. In this crucial moment, join NLIHC and numerous national partners by setting up virtual lobby visits throughout the day on Tuesday, July 21.

    NLIHC’s toolkit makes your participation easy. The toolkit includes talking points, statistics, a template email to request a meeting, a list of top policy asks, and sample tweets. NLIHC staff are also available to help set up and attend your virtual meetings if such assistance is needed. Please reach out to your housing advocacy organizers for more information; we look forward to assisting you in your advocacy!

    If you have meetings already setup for Virtual Lobby Day, let us know by emailing any of the organizers on NLIHC's field team or by filling out this quick form to submit your meeting. When your lobby meetings are done, please also complete this Lobby Visit Report Back Form. Even if you have done a meeting in the past couple of days or will do one or more on other days next week, we'll still count that for our total. And be sure to tweet about your meetings by tagging your member of Congress and using the hashtag #RentReliefNow!

    CONGRESS MUST ACT! JOIN US FOR VIRTUAL LOBBY DAY! 
    Congress must pass the housing elements of the HEROES Act to protect low-income renters and prevent a tsunami of evictions

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    Advocates for housing justice throughout the country are raising the concerns of low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic in meetings and conversations with members of Congress and their staff. IT’S WORKING! Support and enthusiasm for key housing resources and provisions is growing in both the Senate and House due to your outstanding advocacy efforts.

    As the Senate returns to business on July 20, let’s band together and make clear that the lowest-income renters cannot wait! Join us for a Virtual Lobby Day on July 21, 2020 to urge Congress to act quickly to provide emergency housing resources and protections for the lowest-income people during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency.

    Congress needs to hear from you about the increase in evictions happening in your communities, the threat of many more to come, and the need for people to have homes in order to “stay at home” during this health crisis. We must not allow massive numbers of households to be driven into homelessness during the pandemic. Read NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel’s op-ed, published today, on the coming wave of evictions and what must be done to stop ithttps://bit.ly/3f8X3bS

    We encourage all advocates to participate in the Virtual Lobby Day by scheduling video or phone meetings with your representatives and senators to take place on Tuesday, July 21. Together, we will urge Congress to include NLIHC’s top priorities for housing stability in the next coronavirus relief package. Congress should:

    • Provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help low-income renters avoid evictions and homelessness;
    • Pass a national, uniform moratorium on evictions;
    • Provide $11.5 billion to help local communities address the pressing health and safety needs of people experiencing homelessness; and
    • Provide at least $13 billion in additional funding for HUD and USDA housing programs to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic.

    Each of these provisions were in the “HEROES Act” and the “Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act,” both of which were recently passed by the House of Representatives. But the Senate has so far failed to act! It must do so immediately.

    Join us in demanding that Congress take immediate action to ensure housing stability for low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

    Find information and resources from NLIHC to help make your Virtual Lobby Day a success here: https://bit.ly/2ZPbnzB

    Take Action!
    Urge Your Members of Congress to Vote “YES” on Urgently Needed Housing and Homelessness Resources!

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    The House of Representatives will vote next week – as soon as Monday, June 29 – on a package of critically needed emergency housing resources and protections to help keep renters in their homes and to address the health and safety of people experiencing homelessness!

    Contact your representatives and senators today and urge them to vote to approve H.R. 7301, the “Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.”

    TAKE ACTION!

    Background

    The House already approved critically needed housing resources and protections in the HEROES Act – including all of NLIHC’s top priorities – but Senate leadership continues to delay negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package.

    Struggling renters cannot wait! Rent is due on July 1, and millions of the lowest-income renters across the nation can’t afford to pay. Eviction moratoriums are expiring, and local efforts to provide emergency rental assistance are quickly overwhelmed by the need. Without immediate action by Congress, we will see a wave of evictions and a spike in homelessness across the country.

    To underscore the urgency and pressure the Senate to act – either on the full HEROES Act or on emergency housing provisions alone – the House will vote next week on H.R. 7301, “the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020”. The bill includes the housing and homelessness resources approved by the House in the HEROES Act, including NLIHC’s top priorities: $100 billion in emergency rental assistance; a national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures; $11.5 billion to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness; and additional needed resources to ensure housing stability.

    Learn more about NLIHC’s priorities for the next coronavirus-relief package here.

    Learn more about the housing provisions in the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301 here.

    Take Action TODAY!
    1. Contact your representative and urge them to vote to approve H.R. 7301, “the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.” Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email! Tweet at them using #RentReliefNow!
    2. Contact your senators and urge them to immediately bring the bill up for a vote on the Senate floor. Send an email from NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center and tweet at them using #RentReliefNow!
    3. Sign your organization onto national letters in support of vital resources to protect renters and people experiencing homelessness during and after this pandemic. Share the letters with your network and on social media using #RentReliefNow!

    On June 1, rent is due and millions of people in America can’t afford to pay. We need #RentReliefNow!

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    On June 1, #RentisDue and Congress returns to DC to get back to work. Join NLIHC and our partners across the country for a 1pm ET tweetstorm calling on Congress to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic! Across the country and across party lines, Americans overwhelmingly want Congress to act immediately to keep people stably housed. 

    Find sample tweets here. Use these images with your tweets.

    Without immediate action, there will be a wave of evictions and a spike in homelessness throughout the country. Congress must act to prevent this tragic, costly and unnecessary outcome by: providing at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance; implementing a uniform, national moratorium on evictions; and providing $11.5 billion to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness. These urgently needed provisions are included in the House-passed HEROES Act.

    NLIHC’s Opportunity Starts at Home campaign recently commissioned a public poll and found overwhelming bipartisan support for our policy solutions. Fully 9 out of 10 people in America want Congress to implement an eviction moratorium, provide emergency rental assistance and fund solutions for people experiencing homelessness. See a breakdown of the poll results  and tweet about them!

    Join the Tweetstorm on June 1 at 1pm ET, and take 3 more easy actions to support #RentReliefNow:

    1. Tell your senators to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic
    2. Sign your organization on to letters urging Congress to take immediate action to keep people housed.
    3. Join our next national call on Coronavirus, Housing and Homelessness to hear from Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others on what more we can to do ensure our critical housing provisions remain in the final spending bill!
    Thank you for your advocacy!

    House Vote Tomorrow! Urge Congress to Provide Housing Stability!

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    Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the “Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act,” which includes NLIHC’s top priorities for the next coronavirus relief bill, including:

    • The “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help keep renters stably housed.
    • $11.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.
    • A national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.
    • Nearly $13 billion in funding for housing programs at HUD and USDA.

    For more details on the housing and homeless provisions in the HEROES Act, see NLIHC’s updated budget chart and analysis.

    Contact your representative TODAY and urge them to pass these critically needed housing and homelessness provisions!

    Then, take 3 more actions to ensure that housing and homelessness resources are a top priority for the next coronavirus relief package:

    1. Tweet thanks to Speaker Pelosi, Chair Maxine Waters, Chair David Price, Representative Denny Heck and all original cosponsors of the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act for prioritizing #RentReliefNow and homeless assistance funding in the House bill.
    2. Ask your senators and representative to cosponsor the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act. Over 170 members of Congress are cosponsoring these bills, but we need more to get it enacted! Is your member of Congress an original cosponsor? If so, thank them! If not, urge them to cosponsor TODAY! Contact your members of Congress using NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center. Learn more about the bill here.
    3. Show your support for the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act by signing your organization onto this letter and sharing it widely with your networks. National, state, and local organizations and government officials are encouraged to sign on!

    Take Action Today:
    Urge Your Members of Congress to Support Needed Housing/Homelessness Resources in the Next Coronavirus Relief Package!

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    Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) unveiled today the Democratic proposal for the next coronavirus relief package, which - thanks to your advocacy - includes our three top priorities to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic!

    This is an important step forward, but we have a lot more work to do! Join advocates across the nation to ensure that the needs of people experiencing homelessness and the lowest-income renters are a top priority in the next coronavirus relief bill!

    Four Ways to Take Action TODAY:

    Here are four ways you can ensure that housing and homelessness resources are a top priority for the next coronavirus relief package:

    1. Tweet thanks to Speaker Pelosi, Chair Maxine Waters, Chair David Price, Representative Denny Heck and all original cosponsors of the Emergency Rental Assistance Act for prioritizing #RentReliefNow and homeless assistance funding in the House bill!
    2. Tell your members of Congress the next relief package must include these items from the House bill:
      1. The Emergency Rental Assistance Act with $100 billion for emergency rental assistance
      2. $11.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants to protect people experiencing homelessness
      3. A national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures
    3. Ask your senators and representative to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act.” Find out if your members of Congress are already original cosponsors of the bill. Contact your members of Congress using NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center.
    4. Show your support for the Emergency Rental Assistance Act by signing onto this letter and sharing it widely with your networks. National, state, and local organizations and government officials are encouraged to sign on!
    Background

    Even before the pandemic, 8 million of America’s lowest-income households were already struggling to pay rent and make ends meet. Now these households are facing an even greater risk of evictions and homelessness. People of color are far more likely to experience evictions and homelessness, and without additional support, they will be most severely impacted by housing instability as a result of this public health crisis.

    To address these critical needs, Congress must include robust housing and homelessness resources in the next coronavirus relief bill, including the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance; a national, uniform eviction moratorium to protect all renters from evictions; and at least $11.5 billion to help prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness. See the full list of NLIHC’s policy recommendations here.

    Thanks to your advocacy, the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” has already garnered outstanding support. The bill was introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Denny Heck (D-WA) with 135 representatives and 29 senators as original cosponsors. The bill would provide $100 billion in direct support to help people avoid housing instability during and after the pandemic. Without emergency rental assistance, many households will face the destabilizing impacts of evictions and, in worst cases, homelessness, with enormous negative consequences for individuals, their communities, and our economy. To learn more, see NLIHC’s factsheet on the bill.

    Please continue to contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor this critical legislation and include it and our other top priorities in the next spending bill! Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email from NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center. Then tag your members of Congress and tweet about it using the hashtag #RentReliefNow!

    National, state, and local organizations and government officials can also show your support for this legislation by signing onto this letter and sharing it widely using #RentReliefNow.

    Take Action: Urge Your Senators and Representatives to Cosponsor Bill to Provide $100 Billion in Emergency Rental Assistance
    Senator Sherrod Brown, Chairwoman Maxine Waters and Representative Denny Heck To Introduce Legislation to Ensure Housing Stability During and After the Pandemic

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    Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Representative Denny Heck (D-WA), and over seventy original cosponsors will soon introduce the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help keep the lowest-income renters stably housed during the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, will introduce companion legislation this week. Congress must include this much-needed investment in the next coronavirus relief bill.

    Urge your senators and representatives to be original cosponsors of this critical legislation! Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email from NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center. Then tweet about it using the hashtag #RentReliefNow!

    If you’re part of a national organization, show your support for this critical legislation by signing onto this letter.

    And join today’s national call on coronavirus, housing and homelessness at 2:30-4:00 pm ET to learn more about the bill and what’s next to get it enacted!

    Background

    Even before the pandemic, 8 million of America’s lowest-income households were already struggling to pay rent and make ends meet. Now these households are facing an even greater risk of evictions and homelessness. People of color are far more likely to experience evictions and homelessness, and without additional support, they will be most severely impacted by housing instability as a result of the public health crisis.

    Emergency rental assistance provides direct support to help people who have lost jobs shelter in place and avoid housing instability during and after the pandemic. Temporary moratoriums on evictions offer temporary protections for some renters, but rent arrears will accumulate. People who have lost income as a result of the coronavirus outbreak will struggle to cover large sums of back-rent once it comes due. Without emergency rental assistance, these households will face the destabilizing impacts of evictions and, in worst cases, homelessness, with enormous negative consequences for individuals, their communities, and our economy. Emergency rental assistance is also necessary to ensure the continued viability of our country's essential affordable housing infrastructure.

    “It’s tough to shelter at home if you don’t have a home. Without rental assistance, millions of families and individuals will be at risk of eviction, threatening their health and creating long-term negative consequences for renters, their children, and our entire economy,” said Senator Brown (D-OH), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. “The Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020 will provide critical rental assistance to help families and individuals stay in their homes during and after this public health crisis.”

    “We’ve passed an emergency bill to assist small business, support hospitals & create widespread testing,” tweeted Maxine Waters (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee. “I’ve warned everyone we must include my $100 billion plan to protect renters from evictions...I’m prepared to fight till hell freezes over to get it done!”

    Find out if your members of Congress are already original cosponsors of the "Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act."

    To learn more, see NLIHC’s factsheet on the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act.”

    Take Action

    Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” and ensure that it is included in the next coronavirus relief package! Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email from NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center. Then tweet about it using the hashtag #RentReliefNow!

    Amplify the bill on social media using #RentReliefNow. Tag your member of Congress. Find out if they’re already an original cosponsor of the bill

    Here are sample tweets:

    • 8M were struggling to pay rent before #COVID19. We need emergency #RentReliefNow! We support a bill from @SenSherrodBrown @RepDennyHeck @RepMaxineWaters and over 70 cosponsors to ensure housing stability during #COVID19. Call your members of Congress & tell them to support this bill https://tinyurl.com/y9hc8oj7
    • #DYK @SenSherrodBrown @RepDennyHeck @RepMaxineWaters and 70+ cosponsors are working to ensure housing stability for all Americans during #COVID19? We support their efforts & urge other members of Congress to do so too! We need #RentReliefNow! https://tinyurl.com/y9hc8oj7
    • .@SenSherrodBrown @RepDennyHeck @RepMaxineWaters are introducing a bill that provides $100B in emergency #rentalassistance to stably house America’s lowest-income renters. We support this bill. Tell Congress we need #RentReliefNow https://tinyurl.com/y9hc8oj7
    • Vital resources to protect low-income renters at high risk with #COVID19, must be incl. in the next #COVID bill. Support proposal from @SenSherrodBrown @RepDennyHeck @RepMaxineWaters for #RentReliefNow  tinyurl.com/y8j6rvv6
    • It's never been more clear that #HousingIsHealthcare. Emergency #rentalassistance will not only keep the lowest-income families stably housed, but it will also help to curb the spread of #COVID19 & save lives. Let's take action! #RentReliefNow tinyurl.com/y8j6rvv6
    • Rent is past due & millions of the lowest-income families can’t afford to pay. Call Congress, tell them we need #RentReliefNow. Support proposal from @SenSherrodBrown @RepDennyHeck @RepMaxineWaters #COVID19 tinyurl.com/y8j6rvv6
    • Millions of Americans are out of work & fearing eviction from their homes. Unemployment Insurance doesn’t cover lost wage. Support #RentReliefNow proposal from @SenSherrodBrown @RepDennyHeck @RepMaxineWaters tinyurl.com/y8j6rvv6
    • Homelessness and rental instability are dire threats during #COVID19. We need moral leadership. Join us for today’s #NationalCallDay & tell Congress the needs of America’s lowest-income families can’t wait. https://tinyurl.com/y8j6rvv6 #RentReliefNow
    • Incl. hsg & homelessness resources in the #CARESAct was an important 1st step, but Congress must do more to address the dire needs of people struggling from #COVID19. Call Congress & tell them to fund $100B for #rentalassistance https://tinyurl.com/y8j6rvv6

    Join today’s national call on coronavirus, housing and homelessness at 2:30-4:00 pm ET to learn more about the bill and what’s next to get it enacted!

    Join a National Call-In Day on May 4 to Demand Funding for Homelessness and Affordable Housing in the Next Coronavirus Relief Package

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    NLIHC and other national leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding are hosting a national call-in day on May 4 to urge Congress to include funding to meet the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness and America’s lowest-income renters in the next coronavirus relief package.

    It is crucial that advocates contact their representatives and senators and urge them to support vital resources and protections, including $11.5 billion to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness, $100 billion in emergency rental assistance, and a uniform national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures. See all of NLIHC’s recommendations for the next relief package here.

    Call Congress on May 4 to Demand Funding for Homelessness and Affordable Housing Programs in the Next Coronavirus Relief Package!

    Background

    House and Senate leaders are currently debating the scope of the fourth coronavirus package; the next few weeks will be critical for advocates as we work together to ensure significant housing and homelessness resources are included in the bill.

    Congress provided $12 billion in housing and homelessness resources in the CARES Act, but far more resources are needed. COVID-19 outbreaks are already occurring in shelters and homeless encampments, with enormous consequences for people experiencing homelessness, their communities, and our public health systems. Even before this pandemic, America’s lowest-income renters were struggling to pay rent each month and make ends meet: many of these renters are now facing job losses and reduced wages. Congress must provide at least $100 billion in rental assistance to keep the lowest income renters stably housed during and after the pandemic, and to preserve our country’s essential affordable housing stock.

    Take Action

    Contact your senators and representatives on Monday, May 4 to demand funding for housing and homelessness in the next coronavirus relief package! Call here or send an email from NLIHC's Legislative Action Center.

    Sample Script

    I’m calling to urge you to ensure the next coronavirus relief package includes funding to meet the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness and America’s lowest-income renters.

    As the health and economic impacts of coronavirus becomes clear, our country’s lowest-income and most marginalized people are at the greatest risk of harm. People experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to contracting the disease, and once infected are more likely to require critical care and die from COVID-19. Resources are needed NOW to curb the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

    The next coronavirus relief package must include funding to help keep America’s lowest-income renters stably housed. Congress should provide at least $100 billion for emergency rental assistance and implement a uniform national moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures.

    Please tell House and Senate leadership to ensure the next Congressional relief package addresses the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness and the lowest-income renters!

    Join us for a Webinar on Homelessness and Affordable Housing Provisions in the CARES Act, April 23

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    Join members of NLIHC’s Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding and Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition on April 23 at 1:00 p.m. ET for a webinar on opportunities for advocates and state and local governments to meet the immediate and long-term housing needs of low-income communities and people experiencing homelessness.

    Register Today!

    The “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act” provided billions of dollars in flexible funding to help prevent an outbreak of the virus among people experiencing homelessness, as well as needed resources and protections for America’s lowest-income renters. Panelists will discuss how funding from the CARES Act can be effectively utilized to provide critical services to people experiencing homelessness and low-income households. We’ll also discuss the inequitable impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities and provide an outlook on the prospective fourth relief package being developed in Congress.

    Urgent Action Needed
    Congressional Leaders Must Address Immediate Housing and Health Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness and Low-Income Renters in Coronavirus Response

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    People experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and are far more likely to need hospitalization and to die as a result of the illness. It is not only a moral imperative that Congress provide for their needs, but also an urgent public health necessity. We must also ensure that America’s lowest-income renters can remain stably housed during and after this pandemic. The CARES Act provided some needed funding, but much more is urgently needed.

    Despite the clear need, Congressional leadership just unveiled proposals for the next coronavirus response package that do not include any additional funding to address the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness and low-income renters.

    Contact your representatives and senators TODAY to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic. Because of your advocacy, Congress provided $12 billion for housing and homelessness in the last coronavirus package, but far more resources are needed. Act now!

    Now more than ever, housing is health care!

    Take Action

    Contact your senators and representatives today through NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center and demand robust resources to ensure the housing stability of people experiencing homelessness and low-income renters during and after this crisis.

    Background

    NLIHC and its Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition of more than 850 organizations are advocating for $11.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness; $100 billion for emergency rental assistance; and a national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, among other priorities. For more information on what resources are needed, see these policy recommendations from NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition and our webpage with up-to-date information.

    Calls to Congress Still Needed: Urge Congress to Address Immediate Housing and Health Needs in Coronavirus Response!

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    Congressional leaders are finalizing negotiations over legislation to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, with the goal of wrapping up the bill over the coming hours and days.

    This is possibly our last opportunity to influence this bill and ensure desperately needed resources for people experiencing homelessness and America’s lowest-income renters.

    Please call your senators and representatives today to urge them to include housing and homelessness resources in the coronavirus response package.

    Background

    Members of Congress are listening to your continued calls for housing and homelessness resources in the coronavirus economic stimulus package. Thanks to the tireless work of advocates across the country, Congress is actively considering critical resources to keep low-income renters stably housed and to prevent an outbreak among people experiencing homelessness. But advocates must continue to call on Congress to ensure that our priorities stay in the bill and are funded at the highest levels possible.

    To address the urgent and dire needs of people experiencing homelessness and of low-income renters during the pandemic, Congress must include as part of any comprehensive legislation:

    • $15.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants to prevent an outbreak among people experiencing homelessness and to practice social distancing in shelters. The Senate Republican bill provides $4 billion, while the House Democratic version authorizes the full $15.5 billion needed.
    • Tens of billions of dollars for emergency rental assistance to help keep low-income people stably housed and avoid evictions and, in worst cases, homelessness. The Senate bill does not include any funding for emergency rental assistance or eviction prevention tools; the House bill provides $100 billion to help keep people stably housed.
    • A national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures for homeowners and renters. The Senate proposal does not include any moratoriums to prevent displacement, while the House bill includes a moratorium and other protections help ease the burdens facing low-income renters and homeowners; and
    • Support for HUD and USDA housing providers, including for public housing, to help keep residents safe and stably housed. Both bills provide resources to help housing providers address additional operating costs needed to keep residents safe, though the House bill provides more funding.

    See the full list of recommendations from NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition.

    For more information on the House and Senate proposals, see NLIHC’s comparison chart.

    Take Action

    Call your senators and representatives today to urge them to include resources in the coronavirus response package to help people experiencing homelessness and America’s lowest-income renters. Find your members of Congress here and call them today!

    Calls to Congress Still Needed: Urge Congress to Address Immediate Housing and Health Needs in Coronavirus Response

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    Congressional leaders are beginning negotiations over legislation to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, with the goal of wrapping up the bill over the coming days. Key members of Congress are responding to your advocacy, but more calls are needed as NLIHC continues to work with congressional leaders to ensure this relief package includes our recommendations to address the urgent and dire needs of people experiencing homelessness and of low-income renters during the pandemic.

    Congress is moving quickly, so call your members of Congress TODAY – or send them an email here – and urge them to include housing and homelessness resources in this COVID-19 spending package. Communities need funding now to help address the acute needs of people experiencing homelessness. As the economic impacts of the pandemic continue, millions of households will need emergency rental assistance and eviction prevention measures to help them keep roofs over their heads.

    Thank you for your continued advocacy on this critical issue.

    NLIHC also invites you to register to participate in our next national call on coronavirus, homelessness and housing on Monday, March 23 at 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET to learn more about the pandemic’s impacts in communities across the nation and how you can help advocate for needed resources.

    On Monday’s call we’ll hear from representatives from FEMA, HUD, FHFA and Capitol Hill on their planned responses to the urgent need to get and keep people stably housed during the pandemic. We’ll also hear from housing and homeless providers in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine and Texas, and learn about the unique and urgent needs of rural populations, tribal communities, youth experiencing homelessness, and people fleeing domestic violence.

    Register for the call here

    Background

    Homeless service providers need resources now to help prevent an outbreak among people experiencing homelessness, who are at high risk of infection and are unable to quarantine, isolate, and recover. Many shelters cannot access hand sanitizer, masks or bleach, and others have been forced to close because they cannot operate safely, or they have had declines in their staffing.

    We must also take every step to prevent housing instability and homelessness as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Most families living in poverty spend at least half of their incomes on housing, leaving virtually no margin for an unexpected expense. Temporary declines of income and unreimbursed medical bills can quickly send the lowest-income households down the spiral of housing instability, eviction, and even homelessness. 

    Congress must follow the lead of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown and House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters who have called for the inclusion of emergency rental and eviction prevention tools, as well as financial assistance directly to homelessness service providers, housing authorities, and housing-assistance providers. A national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures is needed to keep low-income people stably housed during this crisis.

    For more information, see these coronavirus housing policy recommendations from NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition.

    Take Action
    1. Call or email your senators and representatives today to demand robust resources to help protect our homeless populations and allow low-income renters to continue to keep roofs over their heads during and after this crisis. Find your members of Congress here or email them here.
    2. Join a national call on coronavirus, homelessness, and housing on Monday, March 23 at 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET to learn more about how federal, state and local governments are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people experiencing homelessness and low-income households. See the draft agenda at: https://bit.ly/2Qrahqc. Register for the national call at: https://bit.ly/2IUubp5

    Urgent Action Needed
    Call on Congress to Address Immediate Housing and Health Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness and Low-Income Renters in Coronavirus Response

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    Congress is working quickly to provide critical resources to help households impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and any package must provide funding for the urgent and unique needs of people experiencing homelessness and extremely low-income renters.

    Extremely low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness are often seniors, people with disabilities and/or people with underlying health conditions, making them vulnerable to severe illness from the coronavirus. These same families and individuals are likely to live in close quarters with others, be unable to implement social distancing mechanisms, and have no ability to self-isolate should they be exposed to the virus. It is not only a moral imperative that Congress provide for their needs, but also an urgent public health necessity.

    Now more than ever, housing is health care.

    Call your representatives and senators TODAY and TOMORROW to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to all of you who responded to last week’s call to action. Your calls are working - we’re making real progress on Capitol Hill! Keep the calls coming!

    Background

    Congress is working quickly on several emergency relief packages that provide critical resources for households impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Any emergency measure must include resources to ensure housing stability for low-income individuals and people experiencing homelessness.

    Congress must follow the lead of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown who have called for the inclusion of emergency rental and eviction-prevention assistance, as well as financial assistance directly to homelessness service providers, housing authorities, and housing-assistance providers. Congress should also put into effect a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. For more information, see these coronavirus housing policy recommendations from NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition and our webpage with up-to-date information.

    Take Action

    Call your senators and representatives today and tomorrow to demand robust resources to help protect people experiencing homelessness and to allow low-income people to continue to keep roofs over their heads during and after this crisis.

    Urgent Action Needed:
    Call on Congress to Address Immediate Housing and Health Needs in Coronavirus Response

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    The House is scheduled to vote today on an emergency measure to provide critical resources to help households impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The current draft has no funding to provide for the urgent and unique needs of people experiencing homelessness and extremely low-income renters.

    Congress must ensure that any emergency spending package includes resources to ensure housing stability for people with the greatest needs. Extremely low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness are often seniors, people with disabilities and/or people with underlying health conditions, making them vulnerable to severe illness from the coronavirus. It is not only a moral imperative that Congress provide for their needs, but also a public health imperative. These same families and individuals are likely to live in close-quarters with others, be unable to implement social distancing mechanisms, and have no ability to self-isolate should they be exposed to the virus.

    Now more than ever, housing is health care.

    Call your representatives and senators TODAY to urge them address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic.

    Background

    Policymakers are considering a legislative spending package aimed at addressing the impact of the coronavirus on public health and the economy. At this time, the bill does not include any resources to ensure housing stability for low-income individuals and people experiencing homelessness.

    Congress must follow the lead of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown and amend the bill to include emergency rental and eviction-prevention assistance, as well as financial assistance directly to homelessness service providers, housing authorities, and housing-assistance providers. Congress should also put into effect a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. At a minimum, the eviction moratorium should apply to federally subsidized housing, including public housing and HUD housing, during the crisis. For more information, see these coronavirus housing policy recommendations from NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition.

    Take Action

    1. Call your senators and representatives today to demand robust resources to help protect our homeless populations and allow low-income people to continue to keep roofs over their heads during and after this crisis.
    2.  
    3. Join a national call on the coronavirus and housing/homelessness on Monday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m. ET to learn more about how federal, state, and local governments are responding to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on people experiencing homelessness and low-income households. Register for the free call at: https://bit.ly/39GZAHD

    Join February 18 Webinar on President Trump’s FY21 Budget Request

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    NLIHC and other leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) invite you to join a webinar on Tuesday, February 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET to learn about how the president’s fiscal year (FY) 2021 budget request would harm low-income people and their communities and how advocates can help ensure robust funding for affordable housing and community development programs. 

    Register Today!

    The president’s FY21 budget request proposes to drastically cut housing benefits that help millions of low-income seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, and other individuals afford their homes. If enacted, this budget would leave even more low-income people without affordable, accessible homes. For more details, see NLIHC’s analysis and budget chart.

    Webinar panelists will provide an overview of the budget proposal and share tips for effectively communicating with policymakers and the public about the need for increased federal investments in proven affordable housing and community development programs. 

    Speakers include: 
    • Sonya Acosta, NLIHC
    • Seth Embry, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association 
    • Leslie Strauss, Housing Assistance Council 
    • Moha Thakur, National Housing Trust 
    • Vicki Watson, National Community Development Association 

    Take Action to Oppose Deep Cuts to Affordable Housing

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    President Trump’s and HUD Secretary Ben Carson’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget request – released yesterday – proposes to slash funding for HUD by an astounding $8.6 billion or 15% below 2020 enacted levels, not including those cuts offset by increased FHA receipts.

    NLIHC’s original analysis noted that the budget request proposed to cut funding for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA or Housing Choice Vouchers) account by $5 billion (not including additional increases needed to cover inflation). While it is accurate that the TBRA line item was reduced by that amount, the budget request also proposed to create a separate Moving to Work (MTW) account with $5.2 billion in reallocated and reduced funding from public housing and tenant-based rental assistance, essentially block-granting reduced funding to MTW public housing agencies (PHAs). Taken together, these changes could mean up to 160,000 families losing housing assistance over time.

    For more details, see NLIHC’s updated analysis of the president’s budget request and our updated budget chart.

    Take action to support affordable housing funding!

    In response to these budget threats, NLIHC and other national leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) are urging advocates to take action to oppose the president’s budget. 

    Congress needs to hear from you about the importance of increased investments in affordable housing. Below are three ways to learn more and make your voice heard:

    1. Join a national webinar on February 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET, hosted by NLIHC and other members of CHCDF, to learn more about the president’s budget and the funding outlook for affordable housing and community development programs in FY21.
    2. Sign a national letter urging Congress to ensure transportation and housing programs receive the highest amount of funding possible for FY21. Because the FY21 letter is substantially similar to the funding letter sent last year, we are asking organizations already signed on to let us know if you would like to opt-out of the letter by emailing [email protected]. See if your organization signed onto last year’s letter here.
    3. Join advocates across the country in support of affordable homes by participating in the 4th annual Our Homes, Our Voices National Housing Week of Action, May 2–12. Week of Action events can range from rallies and film screenings to panel discussions, letter-writing campaigns, tours of housing developments, voter registration activities, and more. Start planning now to engage with your members of Congress during the Week of Action and unite with communities throughout the country in calling on Congress and 2020 presidential candidates for increased investments in affordable housing.
    Register for Webinar on the Trump Administration’s Latest Attack on Fair Housing

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    Join NLIHC and other members of the Fight For Housing Justice Campaign for a webinar on February 13 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT to learn more about the Trump administration’s latest attack on civil rights and fair housing. HUD’s latest rule would reverse efforts to undo historic and ongoing patterns of housing discrimination and segregation throughout the U.S. 

    Background

    The Trump proposal would gut the landmark 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule that provided guidance and tools to state and local governments and public housing agencies to help them better identify and address harmful patterns of segregation, discrimination, and disinvestment – patterns often created by government policy. The 2015 rule was developed over several years with input from a wide variety of stakeholders.

    NLIHC, the National Housing Law Project, and the National Fair Housing Alliance invite you to join us for a webinar to review the 2015 AFFH rule, understand the administration’s proposed rule, and learn how to take action.

    Speakers include:

    • Debby Goldberg, National Fair Housing Alliance
    • Renee Williams, National Housing Law Project
    • Sonya Acosta, National Low Income Housing Coalition
    Take Action

    Register for the webinar today and submit a comment before the March 16 deadline. 

    Visit www.FightForHousingJustice.org to submit a comment and find newsa social media toolkit, and other resources. We will continue to create useful materials to help you oppose this new rule throughout the comment period.

    Sign On: Urge Congress to Provide Robust Funding for Affordable Housing

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    NLIHC and other national leaders in housing, homelessness, community development, and transportation are circulating a sign-on letter urging Congress to ensure transportation and housing programs receive the highest amount of funding possible for fiscal year (FY) 2021.

    We encourage all organizations to sign onto the letter at: https://sforce.co/2UaH1X4

    Background

    Congress and the president will soon begin the annual funding process for FY21. While the two-year bipartisan budget agreement signed last summer provided some relief from the low spending caps on defense and domestic programs, Congress will only have about $5 billion more in FY21 than this year for various national priorities, including affordable housing and community development programs. In order to cover rising costs, HUD’s budget will need a significant increase over FY20 levels to maintain assistance to the current number of households. 

    Take action to support affordable housing funding

    Congress needs to hear from you about the importance of increased funding for housing programs that help seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, and others have an affordable, accessible place to call home.

    Last year, more than 3,500 national, state, and local housing and community development, faith-based, disability, and civil rights organizations, as well as officials in municipal, tribal, and state governments sent a letter to Congress expressing their support for these programs. See last year’s letter here.

    NLIHC and national leaders in housing, homelessness, community development, and transportation groups are circulating a similar letter urging Congress to ensure transportation and housing programs receive the highest amount of funding possible for FY21.

    Please share this letter and encourage organizations in your network to sign on! 

    Fight for Housing Justice Campaign to Oppose Harmful Fair Housing Rule

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    The Trump administration published on January 14 a proposed rule to reverse efforts to undo historic and ongoing patterns of housing discrimination and segregation throughout the U.S. This is the latest of this administration’s attacks on civil rights and affordable housing. 

    NLIHC, the National Housing Law Project, and other partners are leading the effort to oppose the proposed rule through the Fight For Housing Justice campaignWe urge all advocates to join us in submitting public comments opposing the rule before the March 16 deadline. 

    Background

    The Trump proposal would gut the landmark 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule that provided guidance and tools to state and local governments and public housing agencies to help them better identify and address harmful patterns of segregation, discrimination, and disinvestment – patterns often created by government policy. The 2015 rule was developed over several years, with significant input from a wide variety of stakeholders.

    The new “fair housing” rule absurdly ignores race, segregation and housing discrimination and incorrectly equates increased housing supply with fair housing choice. The proposal will not promote fair housing or affordable housing goals, and it attacks protections for tenants, workers, and the environment. HUD’s proposed rule lacks meaningful oversight and accountability and eliminates opportunities for public input on AFFH plans.

    Take Action

    Organizations and individuals should submit comments opposing the proposed rule by the March 16 deadline.

    Visit www.FightForHousingJustice.org to submit a comment and find newstalking pointssummaries and analysis, and other resources. We will continue to create useful materials to help you oppose this new rule throughout the comment period.

  • 2019

    2019 Calls to Action

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    Take Action: Call Your Senators on Key Amendments to the FY20 Spending Bill!

    The Senate is now considering a four-bill spending package for fiscal year (FY) 2020 that includes funding for affordable housing and community development programs at HUD and USDA, as well as several key amendments. 

    TAKE ACTION

    The Senate will vote today on several amendments to the spending bill that directly impact affordable housing and community development. Please contact your senators today and ask them to support/oppose the following amendments: 

    • SUPPORT: Any amendment to increase investments in affordable housing for low-income households; 
    • Any amendment to prevent HUD from moving forward with its cruel proposal to force mixed-status immigrant families to separate or face evictions and, in worst cases, homelessness; 
    • Any amendment to prevent HUD from eliminating anti-discrimination protections for transgender people experiencing homelessness and seeking shelter; 
    • An amendment offered by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) that would allow owners of properties financed through USDA Section 514 and 515 loans to extend affordability provisions an additional 20 years;
    • An amendment offered by Senator Smith prioritizing maintenance of USDA rural housing properties through capital repairs, staffing provisions, and enforcement; and
    • An amendment offered by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) that would require carbon monoxide alarms in certain federally assisted housing;
    • OPPOSE: Any amendment to reduce funding for HUD programs.

    To contact your senator’s offices by phone, call the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121

    Background

    The Senate spending bill provides modest funding increases for affordable housing programs, clearly rejecting President Trump’s call for deep cuts to and even the elimination of affordable housing investments. Overall, the bill provides HUD programs with more than $11.9 billion above the president’s FY20 request and $2.3 billion above FY19 enacted levels – an amount likely sufficient to renew all existing rental assistance contracts and to provide level funding or modest increases to most other programs. For more information, see NLIHC’s analysis of the Senate bill and updated budget chart.

    Congress already passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through November 21. Lawmakers will need to pass final spending bills, or extend the CR, to avoid a government shutdown. 

    Advocates should continue to urge Congress to fund affordable housing programs at the highest level possible in any final bill.

     

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    Take Action: Urge Congress to Pass Disaster Reform Bill!

    The House of Representatives may vote as soon as next week on bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize HUD’s Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The bill includes key reforms to the program recommended by the NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) of more than 850 organizations to help ensure that federal disaster recovery efforts reach all impacted households.

    Please call your representatives and urge them to vote in support of H.R. 3702, the “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act.”

    Background

    CDBG-DR provides states and communities with flexible, long-term recovery resources needed to rebuild affordable housing and infrastructure after a disaster. By formally authorizing the program, the bill would help ensure the recovery process is administered consistently and that dollars can flow more quickly to communities in need. In addition, the bill includes important measures to ensure scarce resources are targeted to families and communities with the greatest needs. The bill would require states to allocate resources equitably between housing and infrastructure priorities and among homeowners, renters, and people experiencing homelessness. By directing the HUD Office of Inspector General to oversee program outcomes, the bill would help ensure that CDBG-DR delivers on Congress’ intent to serve all eligible survivors. The bill would also make data available to the public about the impact of the disaster and how resources are spent, which would help promote transparency, allow effective public participation in the development of state recovery plans, and help state and local governments, philanthropic organizations, and researchers better identify critical gaps in services. 

    The bill, introduced by Representatives Al Green (D-TX) and Ann Wagner (R-MO), passed out of the House Financial Services Committee this summer with unanimous support.

    For more information, see NLIHC’s factsheet on the bill at: https://bit.ly/2XDJyfD

    Take Action

    Call your representatives this week and urge them to vote in favor of H.R. 3702, the “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act.”

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    NLIHC urges advocates to send a comment letter opposing HUD’s proposed harmful changes to the 2013 Disparate Impact rule. 
    Comments are due Friday, October 18 by 11:59 p.m. ET.

    HUD proposes drastic changes to the existing rule that would make it virtually impossible for people in the Fair Housing Act’s “protected classes” to bring a charge of “disparate impact” against housing providers, governments, or large corporations. 

    Disparate impact allows people to show that a housing policy or program has a discriminatory impact on them because of their race, sex, national origin, disability, or other protected characteristic – even if the policy or program appears on its face to apply to everyone equally.

    HUD’s proposed rule would tip the scale in favor of housing providers, governments, and businesses that are accused of discrimination. It would shift all of the burden of proof to the victims of discrimination. 

    Please do your best to tailor your comment letter explaining how HUD’s proposed changes could affect your organization or the people you work with. HUD will ignore comments that too closely follow a template, so submissions should be as unique as possible. 

    Not sure how to submit a comment letter via regulations.gov? Here are step-by-step instructions: https://bit.ly/2lLGiNa

    NLIHC’s formal comment letter is at: https://bit.ly/2p8Fof5

    Want more background information?

    NLIHC has a summary of key features of the proposed rule. NLIHC also has a side-by-side comparison of a key section (§100.500) of the current rule and proposed changes to it.

    Read Point of View by NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel, “HUD’s Latest Attack on Fair Housing

    Read Diane’s op-ed from 2018, “The Trump Administration Continues to Undermine the Fair Housing Act

    More about disparate impact is on page 7-8 of NLIHC’s 2019 Advocates’ Guide.

    The Fight for Housing Justice campaign website is at: https://www.fightforhousingjustice.org

    The Defend Civil Rights campaign website is at: http://www.defendcivilrights.org

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    Join Webinar TODAY on FY20 Funding Outlook for Affordable Housing and Community Development Programs 

    NLIHC and other leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) invite you to join advocates from across the country for a webinar on the current status and outlook for funding for affordable housing and community development programs in fiscal year 2020 (FY20).

    Panelists will provide an overview of the House and the Senate proposals, discuss the current status and outlook for the appropriations process, and share tips for effectively communicating with policymakers and the public about the need for increased federal investments in proven affordable housing and community development programs.

    The webinar will be held TODAY September 26 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

    Speakers include:

    • Doug Rice, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
    • Moha Thakur, National Housing Trust
    • Linda Couch, LeadingAge
    • Seth Embry, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association
    • Steve Berg, National Alliance to End Homelessness
    • Sonya Acosta, National Low Income Housing Coalition

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    Join a National Call-In Day on July 22 to Lift the Caps!

    NLIHC, the Coalition for Human Needs, and other national organizations are hosting a Call-In Day on Monday, July 22 to urge congressional leaders and President Trump to reach an agreement to lift the federal spending caps and fully fund affordable housing programs. Without an agreement, affordable housing investments and other key resources may face devastating, across-the-board cuts of almost 10%.

    Congress needs to hear from you! 

    Call 1-202-224-3121

    Background

    Congress and the White House have until October 1 to pass FY 2020 spending bills – including funding for affordable housing – or risk a government shutdown. Before the bills can be enacted, however, congressional leaders must reach an agreement to lift the low spending caps required by law on defense and domestic programs. If the spending caps are not lifted, key affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs will face a nearly 10% cut. 

    Congress has 26 legislative days before the October 1 deadline. Because Congress will soon adjourn for August recess, they must act quickly.

    Once an agreement is reached, the Senate will begin working on their spending bills. A budget agreement could allow even higher levels of funding for housing and community development than those included in the robust spending bill passed by the House earlier this year. For more details on the House bill, see NLIHC’s analysis and updated budget chart.

    How You Can Participate

    Join housing advocates around the country by calling your senators and representatives on Monday, July 22 to urge them to lift the low spending caps and to ensure affordable housing and community development programs receive the highest funding levels possible for FY 2020.

    Sample Script:
    “Please work with your colleagues to lift the low federal spending caps that have prevented Congress from funding affordable housing investments at the level needed. We cannot risk across-the-board cuts to affordable housing and community development programs that help families thrive.”

    Call 1-202-224-3121

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    Join Today’s National Tweetstorm to Keep Families Together 

    Thanks to your efforts, over 10,000 comments have been submitted in response to HUD's cruel proposal to evict 25,000 mixed-status immigrant families – including more than 55,000 children who are U.S. citizens or have legal status – from HUD-assisted housing.  

    To build on this success, NLIHC, the National Housing Law Project, and other leaders are calling for a national tweetstorm today, Monday, July 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET to encourage organizations and individuals to submit comments before tomorrow's (July 9) deadline. Be sure to include #KeepFamiliesTogether in your tweets.

    Comment Now!

    How You Can Participate!

    NLIHC and NHLP are leading the effort to oppose HUD’s harmful and cruel proposal and have developed resources to help you draft and submit comments, including a Myth vs. Fact factsheet, a Spanish language commenting portal and fact sheet, and state and demographic data. Comments are most useful when they contain original language.

    Check out our social media toolkit and other resources at: www.Keep-Families-Together.org

    Some suggested tweets are below:

    • A proposal to evict over 100,000 people during a housing crisis is unconscionable. Let @SecretaryCarson know that children belong with their families. Send comments by July 9 at www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether 
    • The HUD proposed rule to prohibit “mixed-status” families from living in federally subsidized housing is cruel. Tell @SecretaryCarson to #KeepFamilesTogether by submitting comments by July 9  www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • HUD does NOT fund undocumented immigrants living in subsidized housing! The new proposed rule would break up families & do little to shorten waitlists. #KeepFamiliesTogether Tell @SecretaryCarson NO to this cruel rule! #protectfamilies www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • @SecretaryCarson’s unconscionable proposal would evict over 100k people, incl. 55k deeply poor kids that are US citizens or legal residents, at the height of an #affordablehousing crisis. Let HUD know by July 9 that you oppose this rule www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • #FACTS: Undocumented immigrants do NOT receive housing subsidies–it’s not allowed in law. HUD’s rule isn’t for shortening housing waiting lists but for instilling fear in families. Tell @SecretaryCarson we will not stand for this! www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • Prohibiting “mixed-status” families from being able to live together is cruel & unnecessary. Tell @SecretaryCarson to #KeepFamiliesTogether by July 9 www.Keep-Families-Together.org #protectfamilies 
    • HUD’s “mixed-status” families rule places thousands, incl. 55,000 children that are US citizens or legal residents, at risk of homelessness. #KeepFamiliesTogether. Tell @SecretaryCarson you stand against splitting up/evicting families by July 9 www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • Hsg stability is crucial for getting families on a path to a better life. HUD’s proposed “mixed-status” rule threatens this path for some low-income immigrants. #KeepFamiliesTogether, support housing asst. for people w/ greatest needs www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • DUE JULY 9: Submit comments now & tell HUD to #KeepFamiliesTogether www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • The time is NOW to let HUD know that its proposed rule to force 25K “mixed-status” immigrant-families (incl. 55k children) to separate or face eviction is just cruel! Submit comments before the July 9 deadline #KeepFamiliesTogether www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • Speak the Truth, @SecretaryCarson! The “mixed-status” immigration rule is based on a lie! Let HUD know that we will not stand for the cruel proposal. Submit comments by July 9 at www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • Let’s be clear. Federal subsidies DO NOT support undocumented immigrants! Then why is @SecretaryCarson proposing such a cruel rule? Let HUD know that a proposal like this will not stand. Send comments by July 9 at www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether

    Comment Now!

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    House Passes Robust Spending Package for Affordable Housing 

    The House approved by a vote of 227-194 on June 25 a five-bill FY20 spending package that includes robust funding for affordable housing and community development investments at HUD and USDA, as well as several positive amendments. This outcome is due in no small measure to your advocacy and to the leadership of strong congressional champions, including Transportation–HUD Appropriations Chair David Price (D-NC) and Ranking Member Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL). For more details, see NLIHC’s budget chart and analysis of the unamended bill.

    Before the spending bill can be enacted, Congress and the White House must reach a bipartisan agreement to lift the low spending caps on defense and domestic funding required by law under the Budget Control Act of 2011. Unless the caps are lifted, affordable housing programs may face devastating, across-the-board cuts of an estimated 10%. If an agreement is reached, additional housing funds may be possible. 

    Background

    The House spending package provides a robust increase in funding to housing programs that serve low-income people and communities. The bill provides sufficient funding to renew all existing Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Rental Assistance contracts and increases funding for the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, Section 811 Housing for People with Disabilities, Native American Housing Block Grants, Homeless Assistance Grants, and other critical programs. 

    Several amendments were approved that would provide additional funding for Section 202 ($1 million), tenant-based rental assistance ($2 million), the Manufactured Housing Program ($500,000), HUD-VASH ($2 million), the Indian Community Development Block Grant program ($5 million), the Family Self Sufficiency program ($5 million). The House approved two amendments to increased funding for Homeless Assistance Grants: an additional $5 million to better serve youth experiencing homelessness and another $1 million for a study on transitional housing grants.

    Other amendments were approved that would provide funding to study alternative methods for calculating Fair Market Rents in markets with rapidly rising rents and for HUD’s inspector general to investigate the administration’s ongoing 16-month delay in releasing Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery mitigation dollars.

    Legislative provisions aimed at halting several harmful proposals from the Trump administration remain in the bill, despite attempts to remove the provisions through the amendment process. If enacted, the House bill would prevent HUD from implementing a cruel proposal to evict 25,000 mixed-status immigrant families from HUD-assisted homes – including 55,000 children who are U.S. residents or have legal status. The bill also prevents HUD from amending the Equal Access rule to allow homeless shelters to deny transgender people experiencing homelessness equal access to services – a move that would put lives at risk.

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    Join NLIHC, NHLP, and Representative Sylvia Garcia Tomorrow for Webinar for the Day of Action to Keep Families Together! 

    Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) will join advocates across the nation for a Keep Families Together Day of Action virtual kick-off webinar at 2:00 p.m. ET TOMORROW, June 26. NLIHC, the National Housing Law Project (NHLP), and others are calling for this day of action to oppose HUD’s cruel proposal to evict 25,000 mixed-status immigrant families – including 55,000 children who are U.S. citizens or have legal status.

    Individuals and organizations are also invited to host comment parties to voice their opposition to HUD’s proposal by the July 9 deadline. Advocates have already submitted more than 7,700 comments, and we need your help to generate even more!

    Register for the Webinar Now!

    Virtual Kick-Off Webinar

    The virtual kick-off webinar with Representative Sylvia Garcia will share information you need to know to oppose this rule, spread the word, and make a difference. 

    Speakers include:

    • Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
    • Noëlle Porter, National Housing Law Project
    • Emily Warren, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
    • Diane Yentel, National Low Income Housing Coalition
    • Sonya Acosta, National Low Income Housing Coalition

    Despite claims from HUD Secretary Ben Carson and the Trump administration, current law, regulation, and practice already ensures that ineligible immigrants do not receive housing assistance. By HUD’s own admission, its “mixed-status” immigrant proposal would provide no benefit to families on housing waiting lists and could lead to the eviction of 55,000 American children and their families.

    How You Can Take Action!

    Register for the webinar today and host a comment party using our Comment Party Planning Toolkit.

    Other materials – including a new Myth vs. Fact factsheet, a Spanish language commenting portal and fact sheet, a social media toolkit, and more – are available at our campaign website – www.Keep-Families-Together.org.

    Register for the Webinar Now!

    Join NLIHC, NHLP, and Representative Sylvia Garcia for June 26 Day of Action to Keep Families Together

    Join advocates from across the nation for a Day of Action to Keep Families Together on June 26 to oppose HUD’s cruel proposal to force 25,000 mixed-status immigrant families – including 55,000 children who are U.S. citizens or have legal status – to separate or face eviction.

    Individuals and organizations are invited to host comment parties on June 26 to voice their opposition to HUD’s proposal by the July 9 deadline. Advocates have already submitted more than 5,000 comments, and we need your help to generate even more!

    As part of the Day of Action, Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) will join us for a webinar at 2:00 p.m. ET on June 26! Representative Garcia has helped lead the fight against the proposed rule in Congress, introducing the “Keeping Families Together Act of 2019.” Her bill to block HUD from implementing the rule recently passed out of the House Financial Services Committee.

    Register for the Webinar Now!

    Day of Action to Keep Families Together

    Despite claims from HUD Secretary Ben Carson and the Trump administration, current law, regulation, and practice already ensures that ineligible immigrants do not receive housing assistance. By HUD’s own admission, its “mixed-status” immigrant proposal would provide no benefit to families on housing waiting lists and could lead to the eviction of 55,000 American children and their families.

    NLIHC, the National Housing Law Project (NHLP), and other national leaders urge you and those in your network to join us in opposition to this cruel proposal. Host a comment party on the June 26 Day of Action to Keep Families Together to engage your network and allow people with limited access to the internet an opportunity to make their voices heard!

    Get Started Today!

    To help you get started, NLIHC and NHLP created a Comment Party Planning Toolkit with tips and resources to plan a successful comment party. 

    Other materials – including a new Myth vs. Fact factsheet, a Spanish language commenting portal and fact sheet, a social media toolkit, and more – are available at our campaign website – www.Keep-Families-Together.org.

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    Take Action: Call your Representative on Key Amendments to House Spending Bill

    The House will begin debate as soon as today on a five-bill spending package for fiscal year (FY) 2020 that includes funding for affordable housing and community development programs at HUD and USDA, as well as several key amendments.

    TAKE ACTION

    The House will vote on several amendments to the spending bill that directly impact affordable housing and community development. Please contact your representative today and ask him/her to support/oppose the following amendments: 

    SUPPORT:
    • Any amendment to increase investments in affordable housing for low-income households;
    • Any amendment to maintain language in the spending bill that prevents HUD from moving forward with its cruel proposal to force mixed-status immigrant families to separate or face evictions and possible homelessness;
    • Any amendment to maintain language in the spending bill that prevents HUD from eliminating protections for transgender people experiencing homelessness and seeking shelter;
    • An amendment offered by Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) to provide $2 million for the HUD Office of Inspector General to investigate the department’s delay in releasing Community Development Block Grants–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for mitigation purposes following the 2017 disasters.
    OPPOSE:
    • Any amendment to reduce funding for HUD programs;
    • Amendments allowing HUD’s proposal to force mixed-status immigrant families to separate or face eviction, including:
      • An amendment offered by Representatives Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Kevin Hern (R-OK);
      • An amendment offered by Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI; and
      • An amendment offered by Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA). 
    • Amendments allowing HUD to weaken the Equal Access rule and allow federally funded shelter providers to attempt to discriminate against LGBTQ people experiencing homelessness and seeking emergency shelter, including: 
      • Two amendments offered by Representatives Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Tim Meadows (R-NC), Brian Babin (R-TX), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and William Timmons (R-SC); 
      • An amendment offered by Representative Debbie Lesko (R-AZ); and
      • An amendment offered by Steve King (R-IA).

    To contact your representative’s offices by phone, call the Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

    Background

    The House spending package provides a robust increase in funding to housing programs that serve low-income people and communities. The bill provides sufficient funding to renew all existing contracts provided through Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Rental Assistance and increases funding for the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, Section 811 Housing for People with Disabilities, Native American Housing Block Grants, Homeless Assistance Grants, and other critical programs. 

    The House bill also includes a number of provisions aimed at halting harmful proposals from the Trump administration. The bill would prevent HUD’s cruel proposal to force 25,000 mixed-status immigrant families – including 55,000 children who are U.S. citizens or have legal status – to either separate or face eviction and possible homelessness. The bill also includes language to prevent HUD from amending the Equal Access rule to allow homeless shelters to deny transgender people experiencing homelessness equal access to services – a move that would put lives at risk. For more details, see NLIHC’s updated budget chart and analysis of the bill.

    Passage of the House spending bill is the first step in reaching a bipartisan agreement to lift the low spending caps on defense and domestic funding required by law under the Budget Control Act of 2011. Congress will need to reach a budget agreement to prevent devastating, across-the-board cuts of more than 9%. If an agreement is reached, additional housing funds may be possible. 

    Join NLIHC Today

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    Stop HUD’s Cruel Proposal to Break Up and Evict Immigrant Families

    Thanks to your advocacy, the House Financial Services Committee just approved the “Keeping Families Together Act” (H.R. 2763) to block HUD’s cruel proposal to force mixed-status immigrant families to separate or face eviction. To build on this success, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), the National Housing Law Project (NHLP), and other leaders are calling for a Day of Action to Keep Families Together on June 26.

    More than 25,000 families, including more than 55,000 children who are U.S. citizens or have legal status, are at risk of being made homeless by HUD’s proposal. Join advocates across the nation by hosting comment parties to weigh in with your opposition or submit a comment nowComments are due by July 9!

    Comment now!

    Background

    NLIHC and NHLP are leading the effort to oppose HUD’s harmful and cruel proposal, which would evict mixed-status immigrant families from federally assisted housing. Current law, regulation and practice already ensures that ineligible immigrants do not receive housing assistance, and by HUD’s own admission this proposal would provide no benefit to families on housing waiting lists. If the HUD proposal moves forward, more than 25,000 families – including 55,000 children eligible for housing assistance – will be forced to make the impossible decision of either losing their homes or separating. 

    We need your help to stop this harmful proposal from taking effect. NLIHC and NHLP are calling for a Day of Action to Keep Families Together on June 26 to increase the number of public comments in opposition to HUD’s proposal to evict mixed-status immigrant families. Advocacy tools – including more details on the Day of Action – are available at: www.Keep-Families-Together.org

    How You Can Participate

    Organizations and individuals can submit public comments in opposition to the proposed rule by the July 9 deadline. Increase the number of comments and weigh in with your opposition by participating in the Day of Action to Keep Families Together on June 26.

    Comments should be personalized and unique. You can find a comment template and other resourcesread the latest news, and submit your original comments directly to HUD at: www.Keep-Families-Together.org

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    Take Action to #KeepFamliesTogether! 

    The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that would prohibit “mixed-status” immigrant families from living in public and other subsidized housing. The rule would result in family separations and evictions for certain immigrant families, putting tens of thousands of people and children at increased risk of homelessness. Learn more here. The public now has 60 days to comment on the rule. 

    NLIHC and the National Housing Law Project (NHLP) are leading the effort to oppose this harmful and cruel proposal and have developed advocacy tools for you to use to join us in opposition. Together, NLIHC and NHLP launched a new website, www.Keep-Families-Together.org, where you can find fact sheets and other resources (including talking points and social media images), read the latest news, and submit your own comments directly to HUD. We will continue to update this website throughout the comment period. 

    NLIHC and NHLP will also be hosting a Twitterstorm on 

    May 16 at 3:00 p.m. ET

    Use #KeepFamiliesTogether in your tweets. Sample tweets are below; images can be found at www.Keep-Families-Together.org

    • Speak the Truth, @SecretaryCarson! The “mixed-status” immigration rule is based on a lie! Let HUD know that we will not stand for the cruel proposal. Submit comments now www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • Let’s be clear. Federal subsidies DO NOT support undocumented immigrants! Then why is @SecretaryCarson proposing such a cruel rule? Let HUD know that a proposal like this will not stand. Send comments today www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • A proposal to evict over 100,000 people during a housing crisis is unconscionable. Let @SecretaryCarson know that children belong with their families. Send comments today www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • The HUD proposed rule to prohibit families of “mixed-status” from living in federally subsidized housing is cruel. Tell @SecretaryCarson to #KeepFamilesTogether & retract this rule #protectfamilies www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • HUD does NOT fund undocumented immigrants living in subsidized housing! The new proposed rule would break up families & do little to shorten waitlists. #KeepFamiliesTogether Tell @SecretaryCarson NO to this cruel rule! #protectfamilies www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • @SecretaryCarson’s unconscionable proposal would evict over 100k people, incl. 55k deeply poor kids that are US citizens or legal residents, at the height of an #affordablehousing crisis. Let HUD know today that you oppose this rule www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • #FACTS: Undocumented immigrants do NOT receive housing subsidies–it’s not allowed in law. HUD’s rule isn’t for shortening housing waiting lists but for instilling fear in families. Tell @SecretaryCarson we will not stand for this! www.Keep-Families-Together.org #KeepFamiliesTogether
    • Prohibiting “mixed-status” families from being able to live together is cruel & unnecessary. Tell @SecretaryCarson to #KeepFamiliesTogether www.Keep-Families-Together.org #protectfamilies
    • HUD’s “mixed-status” families rule places thousands, incl. 55,000 children that are US citizens or legal residents, at risk of homelessness. #KeepFamiliesTogether. Tell @SecretaryCarson you stand against splitting up/evicting families www.Keep-Families-Together.org
    • Hsg stability is crucial for getting families on a path to a better life. HUD’s proposed “mixed-status” rule threatens this path for some low-income immigrants. #KeepFamiliesTogether, support housing asst. for people w/ greatest needs www.Keep-Families-Together.org

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    DEADLINE FRIDAY, MARCH 1! Urge Congress to Lift Spending Caps and Fund Affordable Housing and Transportation Programs at the Highest Levels Possible

    Groups concerned about transportation, housing, community development, and homelessness are working together to circulate a letter urging Congress to lift the austere Budget Control Act federal spending caps and to ensure affordable housing, community development, and transportation programs receive the highest allocation of discretionary funds possible for FY20.

    Because the letter is substantially similar to the previous letter advocates sent to Congress urging lawmakers to lift the spending caps in April 2017, we are asking organizations to let us know if you would like to opt-out of the letter by emailing [email protected]. You can see if your organization signed the previous letter here

    If your organization has not signed on before, you can do so here. National, state, and local organizations, as well as officials in municipal, tribal, and state governments, may sign on.

    The deadline to sign on or opt out is FRIDAY, March 1.

    Click Here to Sign The Letter

    BACKGROUND

    When the Budget Control Act of 2011 was signed into law, it created very low spending caps, limiting federal funding for discretionary programs. Since then, Congress and the White House have reached short-term agreements to provide limited budgetary relief for defense and nondefense programs. But the low spending caps return in 2019 for the FY20 budget. If they are not lifted, the caps could lead to devastating cuts to key affordable housing, homelessness, community development, and transportation programs.

    WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

    With more families struggling to make ends meet, and our nation’s affordable housing and transportation infrastructure deteriorating, federal investments are ever more critical to sustain our communities and help families improve their lives. While we must work to reduce our nation’s deficit over the long-term, balancing our budget should not be done on the backs of our nation’s low-income people and families.

    Federal funding to the Department of Transportation and HUD provides essential capital and program funding that enables public and private partners to help more than five million low-income seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, parents with children, and others afford stable and safe housing, promote lasting community and family economic success, build critical transportation infrastructure, and spur economic development in communities. Through these investments, Congress reduces homelessness and housing instability, supports small-business job creation, expands our nation’s infrastructure capacity, and encourages economic recovery and growth.

    HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION

    Members of Congress need to hear from you! Join housing, community development, and transportation advocates around the country by signing a letter urging Congress to lift the spending caps and to ensure affordable housing, community development, and transportation programs receive the highest allocation of discretionary funds possible for FY20.

    Please click here to sign your organization on to the letter.

    The deadline to sign on or opt out of the letter is March 1.
    Questions/Comments? Please email [email protected] with any questions.

    Thank you for your support!

    Click Here to Sign The Letter Today!

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    Join Today’s 3 p.m. ET Tweetstorm Urging Congress to #FullyFundHousing Programs

    Please join NLIHC and the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding for a tweetstorm today, February 13, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET to urge Congress to avoid another government shutdown and fully fund affordable housing and community development programs. Use #FullyFundHousing in your tweets and tag your member of Congress.

    Add to Your Outlook/iCal Calendar

    Add to Your Google Calendar

    President Trump announced on January 25 an agreement to temporarily reopen the federal government for three weeks — ending our nation’s longest shutdown in history — giving legislators time to negotiate a larger spending deal and border security. The short-term funding bill expires on February 15. If Congress and the White House fail to reach a deal by then, the government will again shut down, further harming low-income renters and undermining the short-term operations and long-term viability of our nation’s affordable housing and community development programs.

    By participating in today’s tweetstorm, you can urge Congress to ensure affordable housing and community development programs receive robust federal funding in full-year spending bills for HUD and USDA.

    Sample tweets and images can be found at: https://bit.ly/2TDixTj (.zip)

    Click Here to Download Sample Tweets and Images

    Join NLIHC Today

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    Take Action: Housing Trust Fund At Risk!

    Critical funding for the national Housing Trust Fund may be at risk!

    Last week, the Trump administration signaled that funding for the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) could be suspended, undermining our nation’s ability to address homelessness and housing poverty.

    NLIHC encourages all advocates to contact your senators and representative and sign a letter to Congress telling them to protect and expand the Housing Trust Fund, the first new federal housing resource in a generation exclusively targeted to address the underlying cause of the affordable housing crisis: the severe shortage of affordable rental homes available to people with the lowest incomes.

    Contact Your Elected Officials Today!

    Background

    Under the Obama administration, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Mel Watt took important steps to ensure funding for the national Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund. One month after Director Watt’s term ended in January, FHFA Acting Director Joseph Otting — appointed by President Trump — stated that FHFA “is reviewing its options,” related to contributions to the Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund. President Trump’s nominee for FHFA director, Mark Calabria, goes before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday for a confirmation hearing.

    If FHFA suspends funding for the Housing Trust Fund, the long-term viability of the program would be put at risk, making it harder for the lowest income seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, people experiencing homelessness and other individuals to have affordable homes.

    In 2016, the FHFA allocated the first $174 million in Housing Trust Fund dollars to states. NLIHC’s September 2018 interim report summarizes key features of the 1,500 rental homes being created by 42 states with their inaugural Housing Trust Fund dollars. (The remaining seven states and the District of Columbia are now sharing their information with NLIHC, which we will present as an updated supplement to the interim report at NLIHC’s 2019 Housing Policy Forum.)

    Take Action

    It is critical that advocates urge their members of Congress to protect and expand the Housing Trust Fund. You can help!

    1. Call your senators and representative and tell them to protect current funding for the Housing Trust Fund.
    2.  
    3. Join nearly 2,000 organizations and local government officials by signing onto a national letter urging Congress to protect and expand the Housing Trust Fund. Organizations and local governments can sign onto the letter here.

    Contact Your Elected Officials Today!

    Join NLIHC Today

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    Concrete Steps Congress Can Take To Solve America’s Housing Crisis

    The National Low Income Housing Coalition released today Opportunities to End Homelessness and Housing Poverty in the 116th Congressa memo to incoming senators and representatives on concrete steps they can take to help address one of the most critical issues facing extremely low income families today: the lack of decent, accessible, and affordable housing.

    NLIHC encourages advocates from across the nation to share the memo with their senators and representatives.

    Click Here to Download a copy

    Background

    Expanding affordable housing solutions for America’s poorest families should be a top priority for Congress. In the 2018 election, affordable housing was squarely on the agenda in many states and districts. Newly-elected representatives ran and won on platforms with bold housing solutions — from expanding housing vouchers and increasing funding for the national Housing Trust Fund to new measures to address homelessness. These leaders now join other bipartisan congressional champions of expanding affordable housing investments

    NLIHC’s memo provides senators and representatives with specific recommendations on legislative opportunities — whether through an infrastructure spending package, the appropriations process, housing finance reform, or other initiatives — to make the critical investments in the affordable housing our nation needs to help the economy, our communities, children and families thrive.

    Take Action

    Advocates and organizations can use NLIHC’s Opportunities to End Homelessness and Housing Poverty in the 116th Congress to help educate members of Congress about proven and new solutions to America’s growing rental housing crisis.

    We encourage advocates to share the memo with their senators and representatives and with other key stakeholders.

    Click Here to Download a copy

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    Congress and White House Reach Agreement to Reopen Federal Government for Three Weeks. Sign Letter Demanding Full-Year Spending Bills that Fund Affordable Housing.

    President Trump announced on January 25 an agreement to temporarily reopen the federal government for three weeks — ending our nation’s longest shutdown in history — to give legislators time to negotiate a larger spending deal and border security. The bipartisan deal has already been approved by the Senate and could pass the House as soon as today before it heads to the president’s desk for his signature.

    When the government reopens, HUD will have three weeks to start renewing rental assistance contracts, ensure homeless service providers receive delayed funding grants, and fund both public housing operations and Housing Choice Vouchers. USDA will be able to renew rental assistance and approve loans.

    Three weeks will not be enough time, however, for HUD and USDA to address the backlog of work that has piled up during the shutdown. Congress must pass full-year spending bills that provide robust funding for affordable housing and community development programs.

    In response to President Trump’s announcement, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel issued a statement:

    “The shutdown was a disgrace, causing stress and hardship for our country’s lowest-income and most vulnerable people. Over time, we will learn the extent of the longer-term damage done to the programs that serve them and to what extent the damage can be remedied. With a short-term agreement to reopen the government, millions of low-income renters and housing providers can now breathe a sigh of relief.

    “But governing in 3-week increments is unacceptable…Congress and the Administration must immediately work together to enact the full-year spending bills that already have strong bipartisan support. Only with full-year spending bills will low-income renters have the security they deserve and will the programs that serve them have the assurance of the long-term funding they need to properly function.”

    NLIHC and other leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding are circulating a national letter calling on Congress and the Trump Administration to pass full-year spending bills that ensure affordable housing and community development programs receive robust funding. Organizations and local government officials are encouraged to sign on.

    Sign onto the letter demanding that Congress and President Trump pass full-year spending bills for affordable housing and community development programs.

    Click Here to Sign the Letter

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    Sign onto National Letter Demanding Congress and the White House Reopen the Government and Fund Affordable Housing Programs

    NLIHC and other leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding are circulating a national letter calling on Congress and the Trump Administration to end the government shutdown — the longest ever — and ensure affordable housing and community development programs receive robust funding.

    Sign onto the letter demanding that Congress and President Trump immediately reopen the government. Organizations and local government officials are encouraged to sign on.

    Click Here to Sign the Letter

    Low-income people served by affordable housing programs are already being negatively impacted by the shutdown. People from across the country have shared their stories of being threatened with increased rents or evictions, and other individuals have found that landlords will not rent to voucher holders out of concern that HUD will not pay them what is needed to cover their costs.

    The longer the shutdown continues, the greater its harm will be, and the lowest-income people — seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children — will suffer the most.

    Read NLIHC’s latest update on the shutdown and "Point of View" from NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel. You can also see an interactive map and a state-by-state breakdown of how the shutdown is impacting some HUD-assisted housing.

    Click Here to Sign the Letter

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    Call Congress to Support Dear Colleague Letter, and Join Today’s National Call on Shutdown’s Impacts on Affordable Housing and Community Development

    The partial government shutdown, now the longest ever, continues with no end in sight. Low-income people served by affordable housing programs are already being negatively impacted. The longer the shutdown continues, the greater its harm will be, and the lowest-income people – seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children – will suffer the most.

    Take Action Now!

    Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX) have circulated a dear colleague letter that they plan to send to President Trump and HUD Secretary Ben Carson regarding the current government shutdown’s severe consequences on affordable housing. 

    Click Here to Read the Letter

    Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to sign onto the letter as soon as possible. The deadline to sign on is noon today!

    To sign on, Senate offices should contact Jared Roscoe ([email protected]) and House offices should contact Zahraa Saheb ([email protected]).

    Read NLIHC’s latest update on the shutdown here. You can also see an interactive map and a state-by-state breakdown of how the shutdown is impacting some HUD-assisted housing.

    Learn more about the shutdown’s impacts on affordable housing and community development programs during a national call today, January 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Register here.

    Click Here to Register for the National Call

    NLIHC and other leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding will provide updates on the latest information and guidance on how advocates can engage lawmakers to help end the shutdown.

    Elayne Weiss, NLIHC senior policy analyst, will moderate the call.

    Speakers include:

    • Doug Rice, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
    • Ellen Lurie Hoffman, National Housing Trust
    • Linda Couch, LeadingAge
    • Tess Hembree, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
    • Emily Warren, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
    • Steve Berg, National Alliance to End Homelessness
    • David Lipsetz Housing Assistance Council
    • Joey Lindstrom, National Low Income Housing Coalition
    • Sonya Acosta, National Low Income Housing Coalition

    Register Today for the National Call

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    Join Jan. 15 National Call to Learn About the Impacts of the Government Shutdown on Affordable Housing and Community Development Programs

    The partial government shutdown, now three weeks long, continues with no end in sight. Low-income people served by affordable housing programs are already being negatively impacted. The longer the shutdown continues, the greater its harm will be, and the lowest-income people – seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children – will suffer the most.

    Learn more about the shutdown’s impacts on affordable housing and community development programs during a national call on Tuesday, January 15 at 4:00 p.m. ET. 

    Click Here to Register

    NLIHC and other leaders of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding will provide updates on the latest information and guidance on how advocates can engage lawmakers to help end the shutdown.

    Read NLIHC’s latest update on the shutdown here. You can also see an interactive map and a state-by-state breakdown of how the shutdown is impacting some HUD-assisted housing.

    Elayne Weiss, NLIHC senior policy analyst, will moderate the event.

    Speakers include:
    • Doug Rice, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
    • Ellen Lurie Hoffman, National Housing Trust
    • Linda Couch, LeadingAge
    • Tess Hembree, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
    • Steve Berg, National Alliance to End Homelessness
    • David Lipsetz Housing Assistance Council
    • Joey Lindstrom, National Low Income Housing Coalition

    Register Today!