From the National Alliance to End Homelessness (http://www.endhomelessness.org):
The next few weeks will determine how much Congress will invest in homelessness and housing during the coronavirus pandemic. New legislation, called CARES 2, is now being written to expand the investments made by the CARES Act. This bill will respond to the public health crisis caused by the pandemic, as well as the unprecedented spike in joblessness and economic instability across the nation. You can help shape it.
Millions of tenants are now on the brink of homelessness because they can no longer pay their rent. Hundreds of thousands are already living on the streets and in shelters, highly susceptible to catching this virus. Thousands more have been placed in hotels by state and local governments as a temporary refuge, but will soon face the streets again without long term housing. The CARES 2 Act must expand assistance for those who are currently homeless, invest in emergency assistance for people who can no longer pay the rent, and provide long-term rental assistance for severely disabled or elderly people at special risk to homelessness.
We must press Congress to include these priorities in CARES 2; substantial work is already underway to shape this legislation on Capitol Hill.
Please act now at https://endhomelessness.org/actions/letter-cares-2-should-provide-more-homelessness-and-housing-funds/ to demand $11.5 billion in homelessness assistance, a $100 billion fund for emergency rental assistance, and at least $10 billion in long term vouchers for the elderly and disabled. And if Congress takes up an infrastructure plan as part of this legislation, those investments must also include substantial increases to the National Housing Trust Fund for development of affordable housing.
No one can predict how bad this global recession will be. We need your help in this advocacy effort, forcing Congress to act now before millions are added to the rolls of the homeless. Please personalize your message and share your perspective, whether you’re a homeless services provider, a person experiencing homelessness, or a concerned advocate.
Regardless of your experience, Congress needs to know your story.
Thank you for your advocacy and commitment to ending homelessness.
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