In early August, Congress passed major deficit reduction legislation, which, among other things, created a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction - also known as the "Super-Committee." This Committee is tasked with finding $1.5 trillion in additional deficit reduction, and we need to ensure that it doesn't happen on the backs of people experiencing and at risk of homelessness!

We need YOUR help to ensure that the Super-Committee continues to support the federal government's long-standing, bipartisan commitment to ending homelessness by:

• Preventing further cuts in discretionary spending for affordable housing and targeted homelessness programs;
• Protecting Medicaid access to help reach the bipartisan goal of ending chronic homelessness; and
• Preserving low-income, safety net programs through a balanced approach to deficit reduction.

Here's What You Can Do:

If your Member of Congress is on the Super-Committee...

1. Contact your Member of Congress RIGHT AWAY!
2. Use these sample talking points to request that the Super-Committee continues to support the federal government's commitment to ending homelessness. Discuss the importance to your community of key federal programs for preventing and ending homelessness, along with any cost-savings or cost-efficiencies associated with them.
3. Let us know which office you contacted by emailing Kate Seif at cseif@naeh.org!

If your Member of Congress is on the Super-Committee, consider scheduling a meeting with his/her office, calling his/her office, or working to engage local media on the issue. For example, a sample letter to the editor is available here. For help or to develop a strategy for your organization, contact Kate Seif at cseif@naeh.org.

If your Member of Congress is NOT on the Super-Committee...

1. Contact your Member of Congress.
2. Use these sample talking points to request that the Member contact his/her colleagues on the Super-Committee to urge their continued support of the federal government's commitment to ending homelessness. Discuss the importance to your community of key federal programs for preventing and ending homelessness, along with any cost-savings or cost-efficiencies associated with them.
3. Let us know which office(s) you contacted by emailing Kate Seif at cseif@naeh.org!

More Information

In early August, Congress passed the Budget Control Act of 2011, major deficit reduction legislation, which could have a big impact on homelessness. The legislation created a Super-Committee, tasked with finding $1.5 trillion in additional deficit reduction savings. The Alliance has developed a policy brief providing recommendations to the Super-Committee and outlining the impact on homelessness should the Super-Committee process fail to produce the necessary savings.

The Super-Committee has until November 23 to release its proposal, and Congress must vote on the proposal by December 23.