Monthly Archives: January 2010

Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness

Action Alert November 22, 2009

The  Message: urge your elected officials this week to co-sponsor these bills to fund the National Housing Trust Fund; H.R. 3766, the “Main Street TARP Act”, in the House and S. 1731, the “Preserving Homes and Communities Act” in the Senate.

Talking Points:

• Tell Your Story: Talk about why creating and preserving housing is important to you and to the community!  Talk about your values as a person of faith.
• Request Support for Funding:  Ask your   Senators and Representatives to be a co-author of the bills to support and dedicate funding for this new program.

Additional  information: Legislation providing $1 billion in funding for the National Housing Trust Fund has been introduced in both the House and the Senate.  Sen. Jack Reed (RI) introduced “Preserving Homes and Communities Act” and Rep. Barney Frank (MA) introduced “Main Street TARP Act”. The trust fund is a new program created in 2008 to create or preserve mostly rental housing for extremely low income households. It is currently unfunded.  These are billion dollar phone calls and emails!

Whom  to call:

Senator Amy Klobuchar                             202-224-3244    www.klobuchar.senate.gov

1^st Dist Rep. Tim Walz                                202-225-2472    www.walz.house.gov

2^nd Dist Rep. John Kline                             202-225 2271     www.kline.house.gov

3^rd Dist Rep. Erik Paulsen                           202-225-2871     www.paulson.house.gov

4^th Dist Rep. Betty McCollum                    202-225-6631     www.mccollum.house.gov

5^th Dist Rep. Keith Ellison                          202-225-4755     www.ellison.house.gov

6^th Dist Rep. Michelle Bachmann              202-225-2331     www.bachmann.house.gov

7^th Dist Rep. Collin Peterson                      202-225-2165     www.collinpeterson.house.gov

8^th Dist Rep. James Oberstar                      202-225-6211     www.oberstar.house.gov

senator al franken has already signed as a co-sponsor of the legislation

Background Information

Program and Impact

The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) is a new program created in 2008 to create or preserve mostly rental housing for extremely low income households.

At least 90% of funds are for rental housing, with 75% of rental funding for extremely low income households.

Proposed $1 billion in funding could bring $11 million to Minnesota (1.1% is estimate by NLIHC of MN share of Trust Fund).

Background

National Housing Trust Fund authorized in 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA):

• Uses dedicated funding
• Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac was intended to capitalize program, but now new funding source(s) required after Government Sponsored Enterprises placed in receivership.
• NLIHC goal is to finance 1.5 million affordable units over 10 years.

Policy Issues

Federal:

• Advocates want $5 billion per year for 10 years.
• Obama administration 2010 budget includes $1 billion for NHTF, but source still undecided.
• On 9/30/09, Sen. Reed (D-RI) introduced legislation (S. 1731) to provide $1 billion for NHTF out of sale of financial investments connected to the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).
• On 10/9/09 Rep. Frank (D-MA) introduced Main Street TARP Act of 2009 (H.R. 3766) which provides $1 billion for NHTF from unexpended assets of TARP, as a revision of his previous bill.

State:

• MN Federal Housing Action Coalition supports $5 billion/year to build, preserve, and rehab 1.5 million units over 10 years.

Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness

Action Alert   November 8^th, 2009

The message:  Ending homelessness and poverty is possible and needs to be a top priority at the state legislature.  Our pledge to legislators is to maintain regular contact this session.  Our expectation is for legislators to support funding and policies that will help to end homelessness and poverty.

Whom to Email/Call: Your state Senator and Representative.

Talking points:

• Tell your story.  Include your experience with people experiencing homelessness and why ending homelessness matters to you!
• Take the Pledge. Mention the pledge, why you are taking it—and encourage your legislators to join you to pledge to do all they can to end homelessness.

Sample:

Dear Rep/Sen __________

I am writing to inform you that today I am committing to maintain contact with you during the 2010 legislative session about policy and funding legislation needed to end homelessness.  Out of my faith/values, I find it unacceptable that despite the great resources within our state thousands of families, youth, and adults will be without a safe and decent place to sleep tonight.  Please do what you can to work for legislation that will end this injustice.

Sincerely,

Name (legible)

Address

Phone

Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness

Action Alert   December 6^th, 2009

The message:  The community is coming together to honor those members of our community who died in 2009 while experiencing homelessness.  Send your legislators a note inviting them to the Memorial March and Silent Vigil as well as the Service of Remembrance.

The 5pm Memorial March and Silent Vigil begins from the Hennepin County Government Center, 3rd Avenue South and 5th Street South, to Simpson UMC, 2740 1st Avenue South, Minneapolis.  At 6:30pm there will be a Service of Remembrance.

It is unacceptable for people to be dying while without a home. Ending Homelessness needs to be a top priority at the state legislature.

Whom to Email/Call: Your State Senator and Representative.

Talking points:

• Tell your story.  Include your experience with people experiencing homelessness and why ending homelessness matters to you!
• Last year’s service honored a record 131 homeless and formerly homeless people, as well as homeless advocates, who died in Minnesota in 2008.
• On any night in Minnesota, there are at least 1,000 people out on the street. The average life expectancy in America is 77 years. The life expectancy of a person who is homeless is 47 years.

Sample:

Dear Rep/Sen __________

I am writing to invite you to attend a community wide Homeless Memorial March and Service of Remembrance that will take place December 17.   On any night in Minnesota, there are at least 1,000 people out on the street. The average life expectancy in America is 77 years. The life expectancy of a person who is homeless is 47 years.  I am committed to maintain contact with you during the 2010 legislative session about policy and funding legislation needed to end homelessness.  I am doing this because I find it unacceptable that despite the great resources within our state thousands of families, youth, and adults will be without a safe and decent place to sleep tonight.  Everyone deserves a placed to call home.  Please do what you can to work for legislation that will end this injustice.

Sincerely,

Name (legible)

Address

Phone