Quarterly Report: Announcements and Recap
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This Quarterly Report includes a preview of key upcoming activities for advocates, as well as a review of major developments from the last quarter. Specifically, this issue reviews:
- Preview of Capitol Hill Day 2013;
- Quarter one advocacy results;
- Upcoming congressional briefing; and
- Release of State of Homelessness in America 2014.
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Preview: Capitol Hill Day 2014
During the next quarter, we will begin planning Capitol Hill Day 2014, to be held in conjunction with the Alliance's National Conference on Ending Homelessness from July 29 to 31 in Washington, DC. Each year, Capitol Hill Day provides an opportunity for conference attendees to inform federal policymakers about solutions to homelessness. Attendees are able to speak first-hand about the scope of homelessness and the successful interventions being implemented in their communities - one of the most important ways to impact federal homelessness policy.
This year, Capitol Hill Day will take place on Thursday, July 31. Capitol Hill Day 2013 was yet another record-breaking success, with well over 400 participants attending over 300 congressional meetings with Members of Congress from 45 states! If you are interested in serving as a State Captain this year or in participating in Capitol Hill Day, please contact Kate Seif at cseif@naeh.org! Help us make this year another one for the record books!
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Fantastic Advocacy Results from Quarter One!
In the past few months, the Alliance has been blown away by the outpouring of advocacy activities from all of our partners across the country. During our March Letter Writing Campaign, we set the goal of sending 500 letters to Members of Congress urging them to support increased funding for HUD's McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants in FY 2015. In just over three weeks, the results were astounding! Collectively, you all took well over 700 advocacy actions, going beyond sending letters to make calls, send direct emails, create petitions, hold meetings, and much, much more.
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We have already seen the fruits of these astounding efforts through the fantastic results from the Dear Colleague McKinney sign-on letters circulated in the House and Senate. The Senate Dear Colleague letter, circulated by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), calling for the Appropriations Committee to provide robust funding for McKinney programs in FY 2015, got 28 signers - just as many as last year. This was an important goal to ensure the program received the same level of support as last year. The House Dear Colleague letter, circulated by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), calling for the Committee to provide $2.405 billion for McKinney programs in FY 2015 got 89 signers - 7 more than last year and a record for the letter!
In a very difficult budget environment, in which there is only minimally more money to spend this year than last year, it was particularly important that we sent a strong message early in the federal funding process about the need for increased funding for McKinney and you all rose to the challenge! Thank you for your efforts, and well done!
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Congressional Briefing on Veteran and Chronic Homelessness
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On April 24, the Alliance will be holding a congressional briefing titled, "Finishing the Job: Ending Veteran and Chronic Homelessness" for congressional staff and national partners. The briefing will focus on the goals laid out in Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness to end veteran homelessness in 2015 and chronic homelessness in 2016. Panelists will include Administration officials, researchers, and practitioners who will discuss the great work that is being done in communities to meet these goals and some challenges that remain.
In order for this briefing to have maximum impact, we need to make sure that as many congressional staff attend as possible. Please call your Members' offices and ask staff to attend!
Here's What You Can Do:
- Call your Senators' and Representatives' offices and ask to speak to the person who handles housing or veterans issues.
- You can reach your Members' offices by calling the congressional switchboard at 202.224.3121
- Urge the staff person to attend the USICH/Alliance briefing on April 24 at 10:00 am.
- You can provide more information to the staff person by sharing this link, or have them contact Kate Seif at cseif@naeh.org.
- Let us know which offices you contacted and what they said!
We have made critical progress in addressing both veteran and chronic homelessness in recent years, but there is still much work to be done. This briefing will educate congressional staff on the importance of providing sufficient resources to address the housing needs of these populations and to meet the goals laid out in Opening Doors. Please encourage your Members' staff to attend! |
State of Homelessness in America Upcoming Release
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In the upcoming quarter, the Alliance will release a new report, State of Homelessness in America 2014, our annual assessment of homelessness data and other economic factors. We are planning on hosting a webinar to go over the details of the report and discuss how you can use the report to assist your advocacy and media efforts.
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