Advocacy Update: ECF Expires; Veterans Congressional Briefings
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Advocacy Update | October 1, 2010
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TANF ECF Expires in Many States
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Yesterday, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund (TANF ECF) expired in many states across the country. Congress failed to extend the ECF prior to September 30, when the funds expired.
We need to urge senators when they return to session in November to restore the ECF and provide $1 billion to capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund.
What You Can Do
- Call your senators and ask to speak to the person who works on housing issues. Senators' phone numbers can be found by calling the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121.
- Ask the staff members to urge their boss to commit to restoring the ECF and capitalizing the Trust Fund this year.
- Report any responses you receive to Amanda Krusemark at akrusemark@naeh.org / 202-942-2856.
Background
The ECF was part of the Recovery Act passed in early 2009, and it is designed to help states deal with the increasing number of people on TANF due to the recession. ECF dollars have been used in many ways, including to provide short-term rent assistance and subsidized employment.
Restoring ECF will allow many states to restart this critical program that has provided countless homeless and at-risk families with rental assistance and subsidized an estimated 250,000 jobs nationally. Click here for a state-by-state breakdown of how the funds have been spent.
The National Housing Trust Fund was established in 2008, but advocates continue to work to providing funding for the Trust Fund.
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House and Senate Each to Host Congressional Briefings on Homelessness among Veterans
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The Congressional Caucus on Homelessness will present a briefing entitled "Ending Veterans Homelessness" to House congressional offices on Tuesday, October 5.
Also on October 5, the Alliance will co-host a similar congressional briefing for Senate staff members with the Corporation for Supportive Housing and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Advocates are encouraged to urge their congressional offices to attend these briefings.
The House Caucus' briefing will be moderated by Anthony Love, Deputy Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Senate briefing will be moderated by John Driscoll, President and CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Presenters will illustrate what is working and initiatives that will help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs meet its goal of ending homelessness among veterans in five years.
If you plan to invite your congressional offices to attend one of the briefings or would like additional information, please contact Kate Seif at cseif@naeh.org.
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BUILDING
POLITICAL WILL
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The Alliance works collaboratively with its local, state, and national partners to advance policies and programs that prevent and end homelessness.
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