From Project H.O.M.E. (http://www.projecthome.org):
Two weeks ago, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said poverty is a “state of mind.” But for the hundreds of people who stood in line overnight on May 31 for a chance at housing, poverty is an all-consuming reality.
Over 1,000 applications were submitted for Project HOME’s newest residence by the time the waiting list closed on June 2nd. There are only 88 units available. Most applicants waited in line between six and 36 hours simply for the chance to apply.
Their stories were altogether too similar — evictions, lost jobs, health crises, or death upended their life and turned them out of their homes.
Poverty is not a state of mind. It’s simple math: 1,000 applications and 88 units means over 900 Philadelphians will stay on the streets, the shelters, or a friend’s couch until another option opens up. But under proposed budget cuts, those affordable housing options will be even more scarce.
We need you to help us send a message to Congress to protect affordable housing in the budget. Email your elected officials at http://action.projecthome.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=1042.
You can also share your personal affordable housing story here: http://bit.ly/affordablehousingmatters. Both links will automatically send a message to your elected officials in Washington, DC.
Stand with us as our friends and neighbors stood in line. Act now to protect affordable housing.
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