Monarch Housing’s Blog!

Homelessness happens in every community!

It is not about programs it is about people!

Congressman Rush Holt, spoke with passion and vigor about his commitment to supporting the reauthorization of McKinney-Vento as well as adequate funding for housing and services to end homelessness. He reminded those in attendance that homelessness can and does happen in every community and can happen to anyone. He complimented those in attendance for their dedication to helping others and not simply implementing programs.

Congressman Holt’s comments can be heard by using the audio link below. To listen to the other speeches and to view photos from the Congressional Reception click here. To view only the speeches click here.

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Tags: Advocacy Network, Congressional Reception, Ending Homelessness, New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness, Reception Speakers, Rush Holt

You think you have everything but you can lose income tomorrow!

Homelessness may be getting a new face according to a report on ABC on August 8, 2008. In an article entitled “I Used to Be Normal: Poor Economy Contributing to Upper-Class Homelessness” Sarah Netter chronicles several families that have fallen from the upper or middle class into homelessness. To read the full article click here.

Craig and Paige Miller are one of the couples. They currently live in their RV in Santa Barbara. “You think you have everything,” Miller said, “but you can lose income tomorrow.”

Ms. Netter’s article states: Miller once had a four-bedroom home, complete with pool and spa, when he lived in Orlando and worked as a life coach and ran his business. He’s now part of what appears to growing number of Americans who have been forced out of their comfortable lives and into their vehicles by the continuing foreclosure crisis and slumping economy.

Is this happening in NJ? At the 2nd Annual Congressional Reception, Congressman Rush Holt made the same point in his speech. He reminded those in attendance that Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Congressional Reception, Ending Homelessness, foreclosures, Rush Holt, subprime crisis

More than 200 advocates from New Jersey to attend!

With one week left to the 2nd Annual Congressional Reception, more than two hundred formerly homeless people, passionate advocates and housing providers from across the state have registered to attend the July 30th event.

The top three policy issues will be:

1. Significantly increase funding for homeless and housing assistance programs within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for services linked to permanent and supportive housing for homeless individuals, families, and youth. Click here for more details.

2. Pass legislation to reauthorize the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program that will protect homeless families and homeless people with disabilities, expand prevention activities, and focus on permanent housing solutions to homelessness. Click here for more details.

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Tags: Advocacy Network, Albio Sires, Congressional Reception, Donald Payne, Frank LoBiondo, New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness, Rush Holt, Senator Lautenberg, Senator Menendez, Steve Rothman

Senators Lautenberg and Menendez to attend!

Congressmen Holt, Sires, Rothman and Payne to attend!

Congressmen LoBiondo to meet after the reception!

More than 200 advocates from New Jersey to attend!

With one week left to the 2nd Annual Congressional Reception, more than two hundred formerly homeless people, passionate advocates and housing providers from across the state have registered to attend the July 30th event. The Congressional Reception is currently “sold out” and we are therefore unable to accept any more reservations!

Congress members Holt, Sires, Rothman and Payne plan to attend this event along with Senators Lautenberg and Menendez. Outreach is continuing to other members of the House.

The top three policy issues will be:

Adequate funding for housing and supportive services;

McKinney-Vento Reauthorization; and

Adequate funding for the Second Chance Act.

Two of the bus pickup locations have been determined.

The central NJ bus will leave at 8:15 AM from the United Way of Mercer County (3131 Princeton Pike, Bldg 4, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648)

The southern NJ bus will leave 8:15 AM from CPAC (6981 N. Park Drive East, Pennsauken, NJ 08109).

The pickup for the northern bus will be resolved this week.

Hosted by Senator Menendez, the Congressional Reception is coordinated by the following organizations that comprise the Steering Committee of the New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness: Catholic Charities of New Jersey (comprised of the five Catholic Charities agencies located through the state); Corporation for Supportive Housing; Homes for New Jersey; Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries; Lutheran Social Ministries in New Jersey; Monarch Housing Associates; The New Jersey Anti-Poverty Network; NJ Alliance to End Homelessness; New Jersey Catholic Conference; and Supportive Housing Association of NJ.

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Tags: Advocacy Network, Albio Sires, Congressional Reception, Donald Payne, Frank LoBiondo, New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness, Rush Holt, Senator Lautenberg, Senator Menendez, Steve Rothman