FY 2011 McKinney Campaign: Sample Action Alert

Date: 2 Feb 2010

Author: National Alliance to End Homelessness

Files:

SAMPLE ACTION ALERT – PLEASE FILL IN THE LOCAL INFORMATION IN RED

WANTED: $2.4 billion for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants in FY 2011

Please join us in writing letters to Senator (X)and Representative (X) to ask them to support a funding level of $2.4 billion for Homelessness Assistance Grants this year. Last year Congress made big improvements to the McKinney program by passing the HEARTH Act. Because of the legislation, a funding level of $2.4 billion will provide (city) with more resources for prevention and assistance to families experiencing homelessness. Without this funding level, (city) could get less funding for new projects in FY 2011 – we need YOUR help!

What you can do:
Write a letter and ask your clients and colleagues to write letters

• Fax the letter (Include Congressional office fax number), or email it to (include the staff person’s email address) in Senator (X’s) office or (include the staff email) in Representative (X’s) office.
• Forward us a copy of the letter by (deadline) – this is very important for tracking progress.

Why is this important? When should you act?
To make the greatest impact, we want everyone to send letters at the same time, from Feb 1 through Feb 22. Congress just began making decisions about funding levels for federal programs, so now is the time to start influencing your Members of Congress. They need to hear from constituents EARLY in this process, so we can be sure that they prioritize funding for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs.

Letters from constituents do make an impact—last year, Washington State’s letters convinced Senator Murray (Chair of the Subcommittee that funds HUD) to increase the Senate’s McKinney appropriation in the FINAL stages of the HUD appropriations bill…so let’s get writing!