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Key events to be held during political conventions!

Donation number is 1-877-US1-ROAD!

America’s Road Home (ARH), an innovative new non-profit focused on ending family homelessness, has launched a strategy to bring national attention to the issue of family homelessness during both the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and the Republican National Convention (RNC). Utilizing a mix of public art, non-traditional marketing and public policy dialogue in a bi-partisan effort to raise the national consciousness around this important issue, ARH hopes to ensure that both presidential candidates are aware of the fact that family homelessness is a crisis with a solution.

According to Tom Ryan, Executive Director of America’s Road Home. “Our challenge, and our goal, is to bring awareness to the issue and to compel consumers to give to the cause. We think we can accomplish this goal by leveraging the national stage offered to us by the events of the DNC and RNC in order to engage the country, and our political leaders in a dialogue about family homelessness. In addition, we want to be sure that people know there is an issue and that we can provide a way for them to give — because the truth is that if we all work together, at the $5 and $10 level, we can actually put an end to family homelessness in our lifetime.”

Among the steps being taken are:

Joint policy breakfasts with Denver and Minnesota on homelessness in an effort to raise awareness through non-partisan dialogue with key national leaders.

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6,970 additional families could be served!

HUD publishes proposed fair market rents for FY 2009!

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has posted data on voucher utilization rates from 2004-2007 at every public housing agency in the country, and estimates of the number of vouchers agencies have funds to use in 2008. Click here for an updated list of voucher data for New Jersey. CBPP states that “The data could be very useful to advocates — and boards of commissioners — to start a conversation about whether the agency has the funds to serve more families, raise payment standards, or otherwise make the voucher program operate more effectively.”

Housing Voucher Data for New Jersey

Of New Jersey’s 67,029 authorized vouchers, only 90 percent were used by families last year.

This was an improvement over 2006, when the voucher program was underfunded and changes in funding policy undermined the effectiveness of the program. Nevertheless, 2,055 fewer families in New Jersey received assistance in 2007 than in 2004.

This year, housing agencies in New Jersey have sufficient funds, including reserves, to assist 6,970 additional families, thereby using up to 100 percent of their authorized vouchers. To encourage agencies to make efficient use of these resources, agencies must be reassured that voucher renewal funding policy will be both stable and take into account the additional vouchers used by these families. Congress should enact the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (H.R. 1851 and S. 2684) to provide confidence that renewal funding needs will be met in future years, thereby encouraging agencies to put as many of their vouchers to use as possible.

H.R. 1851 is co-sponsored by Rep. Donald Payne. All members of the New Jersey delegation voted in favor except for Congressman Garrett. The full House approved the bill on June 12, 2008, by a vote of 333-83. S. 2684 is cosponsored by Senator Menendez. The bill has not yet been voted on in the Senate.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on June 12 published for public comment in the Federal Register HUD’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2009 Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for the (Section 8) Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Moderate Read the rest of this entry »

Amazingly the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has decided to ban all “nonpartisan voter registration drives at federally financed nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and shelters for homeless veterans.”

As citizens is not voting a right not an option?

The New York Times published an op-ed today by Susan Bysiewicz, who is the secretary of state for Connecticut entitled “Help Our Veterans Vote“.

She makes a very compelling case that demolishes the VA’s argument against voter registration drives. We recommend it as a must read. Click here to read the op-ed.

Ms. Bysiewicz ends her op-ed with this summary:

The federal government should be doing everything it can to support our nation’s Read the rest of this entry »

September 21-27, 2008 is National Homeless & Low Income Voter Registration Week!

Another important election year is approaching and we hope you will join us in ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. The National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition are honored to invite your organization to participate in National Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration Week on September 21-27, 2008 by hosting a voter registration drive or promoting voter education and participation.

Information on National Homeless and Low-Income Voter Registration Week

Since equal access to the right to vote is a crucial part of maintaining a true democracy, nonprofits and service agencies nationwide will dedicate the week towards registering homeless and low-income individuals to vote. For those unable to conduct voter registration drives, the week can also be used to educate community members on the upcoming general election.

As another organization dedicated to homeless empowerment and economic justice, we hope you will join us in this effort. With your support, we are confident we can reach more individuals not yet registered to vote.

Resources to assist in an voter education campaign.

Election 2008 Resources
A list of resources to help you get involved in nonpartisan electoral activities.

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On July 31, 2008, in the final hours before August recess, the House Financial Services Committee unanimously voted, by voice vote, in favor H.R. 5772, Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008. The legislation was ordered reported to the House, as amended, with a favorable recommendation.

The amendment by Mr. Murphy, the prime sponsor, was agreed to by voice vote. Click here to read the amendment. The House is adjourned until September 5th. No action will occur until that date or later.

Three New Jersey Congress members are co-sponsors. They are Congress members Pallone and Sires and Congressman Steve Rothman

Section 811 is a critically important federal program that assists the lowest income people with serious and long-term disabilities to live independently in the community by providing integrated affordable rental housing linked with voluntary services and supports.

Click here to read our previous posts.

For more information on this important legislation:

Click here to read Opening Doors on Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008 in PDF or here to read it online.

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We’re a Step Closer to Improving Homeless Assistance for Families and Individuals!

This was a key issue at the Congressional Reception!

On July 31, 2008, in the final hours before August recess, the House Financial Services Committee unanimously voted in favor of HR 840 - the HEARTH Act, legislation introduced by the late Julia Carson (D-IN) and Geoff Davis (R-KY) to reauthorize HUD’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program. Click here for a detailed summary of this legislation.

The bill passed with a manager’s amendment offered by Rep Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA). The amendment makes the bill similar to S 1518 - the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act. An amendment was offered by Rep Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rep Geoff Davis (R-KY) to dramatically expand the definition of homelessness, but it was withdrawn after debate.

Several amendments were approved unanimously, including an amendment by Rep Bill Read the rest of this entry »

The National Alliance to End Homelessness kicked off their 2008 National Conference on Ending Homelessness July 28, 2008. With representatives from all over the country gathering to learn new and innovative strategies for ending homelessness in their communities, the first day of the conference began with a bang. Pre-conference sessions were held from 9-12 and were filled well past capacity as participants eagerly shared ideas and experiences.

The conference officially opened at 1 pm with a opening address made by Nan Roman, Executive Director of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The room overflowed with participants as Nan Roman discussed the need for strong federal leadership in ending homeleness and expansion of efforts to various sub-populations such as homeless veterans, families and youth. Those attending the opening plenary were provided copies fo the National Alliance the End Homelessness short video on Rapid Re-housing for homeless families and participants walked away energized and ready to learn about how to end homelessness in their communities.

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