Advocacy Update: HEARTH Act Amendment Vote
|
National Alliance to End Homelessness
Advocacy Update | June 12, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
HEARTH Act Amendment Vote Later Today |
|
The amendment to attach the HEARTH Act to S. 896 (the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act), offered by Senators Reed (D-RI) and Bond (R-MO), was officially introduced last night. However, the Senate adjourned before they had a chance to vote, so it is expected to be considered later today.
Please ask your Senators, if you have not done so already, to VOTE FOR the Reed/Bond amendment. (See talking points below.)
We are aware that some advocates are asking Senators to oppose the bill because of concerns over the definition of homelessness. The HEARTH Act contains a compromise definition that was the result of many, many hours (and years) of discussion between countless providers, advocates, and Congressional staff. The Alliance supports the compromise definition-it modestly expands the current definition to include those who "couch surf" (move from place to place) and provides much more flexibility to serve people who are in precarious housing situations. This definition will ensure that homeless assistance continues to focus on its mission of meeting the emergency needs of people with no place to live.
Some people believe the expansion is too great, others believe it is too narrow, but a consensus is emerging --the compromise is workable, further talk is unlikely to lead to any different conclusion, and given the many positive things in the bill, it is time to put these arguments aside and pass it. |
| Talking Points |
| Call Senate offices and ask to speak with the staff person who works on housing and homelessness issues. Office phone numbers can be found by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
"I understand that Senators Reed and Bond introduced an amendment (the HEARTH Act) to S.896, that would reauthorize HUD's McKinney -Vento programs."
"(ORG NAME) is thrilled by this news and supports Senator Reed's efforts."
"On behalf of (ORG NAME), I hope that the Senator will do anything (she/he) can to see the amendment and the HEARTH Act through."
"In addition, we support the compromise definition of homelessness in the HEARTH Act--it expands the current definition to include those who "couch surf" (move from place to place), but retains a targeted definition to ensure that homeless assistance continues to focus on its mission of meeting the emergency needs of people with no place to live." |
|
TOOLKIT
|
|
|
|
|
BUILDING
POLITICAL WILL
|
The Alliance works collaboratively with its local, state, and national partners to advance policies and programs that prevent and end homelessness.
|
| CONTACT US |
Sarah Kahn
Director of Field Mobilization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Alliance to End Homelessness \| 1518 K Street, NW Suite 410 \| Washington, D.C. \| DC \| 20005
|
THIS IS A TEST EMAIL ONLY.
This email was sent by the author for the sole purpose of testing a draft message. If you believe you have received the message in error, please contact the author by replying to this message. Constant Contact takes reports of abuse very seriously: if you wish to report abuse, please forward this message to abuse@constantcontact.com.
|
|
