Yesterday, the Senate HUD funding Subcommittee released and voted on its FY 2015 legislation. The Subcommittee’s proposed legislation includes only a $45 million increase for HUD’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants, which is $255 million below the amount requested by the President. This funding level would very likely not provide enough funding to make any expansion to programs and would not provide any additional funding for new projects!
Fortunately, the process is far from complete and we have further opportunities to encourage Members to provide additional funding for homelessness-prevention programs in FY 2015. Therefore, it is extremely important that we begin and maintain a drumbeat that reminds Members of Congress that this is the year!
Here’s What You Can Do:
1. Call your senators and representatives!
a. Ask to speak to the person who handles appropriations or housing issues. We can help you get this information, or you can call the congressional switchboard at 202.224.3121.
2. Tell the staff person their boss MUST provide more funding for McKinney in FY 2015!
a. Tell them we must continue making progress on chronic homelessness and need $2.405 billion in order to meet our goal of ending chronic homelessness by 2016.
We have an opportunity to educate and make an impact. Please seize this opportunity moving forward and work with your Members of Congress – all of them, from both sides of the aisle – to prioritize ending homelessness!