One Week Left to Comment!

Best Practices A practical newsletter for people ending homelessness. One Week Left to Submit a Comment on HUD's Proposed Changes for "Mixed Status" Families Comment by July 9! In May, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a rule change that would no longer allow "mixed-status" families – households with both documented and undocumented members – to qualify for federal housing assistance. This proposed rule would force families out of public housing and Section 8 programs, effectively spurring homelessness, forced family breakups, and/or loss of housing assistance. From our blog: "Although the Secretary of HUD has stated that the rule will help 'legitimate American citizens' secure housing, the fact is that 66.9% of people in mixed-status families are already U.S. citizens, nearly half of whom are likely to lose their homes if the rule is finalized. Not only does the proposed rule fail to achieve its stated goal, according to HUD, it will lead to $437 million in added costs, and could result in a reduction in the 'quantity and quality of assisted housing' for everyone." - Arianna Cook-Thajudeen, Legal Fellow at the National Housing Law Project. Read the full post here.  Until July 9, you can submit a comment to HUD to oppose this proposed rule, which could lead to eviction for more than 100,000 people in HUD-assisted housing. Leave a comment >>> HUD Announces 2019 Mainstream Voucher Program NOFA The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released the FY2019 Mainstream Voucher Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). HUD expects to award $150 million, which will house approximately 18,000 families. Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) may apply to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities, and will receive additional points if they agree to adopt a preference for their housing choice voucher program for one or more targeted groups. Stay posted for a new Alliance webinar on this topic in the coming weeks! To learn more about how to apply for these funds, check out the following resources: Webinar: Taking Advantage of 811 Mainstream Vouchers 2018 Blog Post: How Your Community Can Apply for New 'Mainstream' Housing Vouchers from HUD Resource: HUD's Mainstream Voucher Page web page Homelessness in the News Here's 3 things California can do to dig out of a homelessness crisis years in the making USA Today Statement from the National Alliance to End Homelessness on President Trump's Comments on Homelessness National Alliance to End Homelessness Connecticut's homeless population has reached an all-time low, according to a new report Hartford Courant From the Alliance Blog What Congress Can Do This Year: Part III, Active Threats By Steve Berg Keeping Families Together (and Housed): The Proposed Mixed Status Family Rule Misses the Mark By NAEH Using Data to Promote Equity: The Demographic Data Project By Joy Moses Why Housing First? Why Not Housing Second? Or Third? By Sharon McDonald Featured Alliance Resource State Solutions to Ending Family Homelessness State leadership can significantly further reductions in family homelessness through promoting evidence-based interventions.