On the Home Front

COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Updates

October 5, 2020

We’re excited for tomorrow’s (10/6) conversation between NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel and Ta-Nehisi Coates, National Book Award winner and distinguished writer in residence at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, on “Racial Equity and Housing Justice during and after COVID-19” at 1pm ET. If you haven’t done so already, register for the live-stream event at: https://bit.ly/3io8Q7Q. Be sure to submit questions for Mr. Coates through the registration page or via social media using #RacialEquityandCOVID!

Negotiations over a coronavirus relief package restarted last week, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin reporting critical progress in these discussions. The House passed on October 1 a revised $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package, which includes NLIHC’s top priorities: emergency rental assistance; a national, uniform eviction moratorium; and resources to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness. According to the press, Mnuchin’s $1.6 trillion counteroffer to Democrats included significant funds for rental and mortgage relief, expanded unemployment benefits, and an additional round of stimulus checks.

We are closely monitoring developments and will keep DHRC members and partners informed. While the federal eviction moratorium provides essential relief for renters, it merely postpones evictions – it doesn’t prevent them. The White House and Congress should continue to negotiate and enact a relief package that includes critical resources to keep renters stably housed and address the housing and health needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Additional updates are here: https://tinyurl.com/yyjohftv


October 1, 2020

Dear DHRC members and partners,

Join NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel and Ta-Nehisi Coates, National Book Award winner and distinguished writer in residence at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, for a conversation on “Racial Equity and Housing Justice during and after COVID-19” next Tuesday, October 6, at 1pm ET. If you haven’t done so already, register for the live-stream event at: https://bit.ly/3io8Q7Q. Don’t forget to submit questions for Mr. Coates through the registration page or via social media using #RacialEquityandCOVID!

Please continue to spread awareness about the federal eviction moratorium and the steps renters must take to be protected! NLIHC’s National Moratorium webpage has materials developed by NLIHC, NHLP, and other national partners, including an overview of the moratorium, an FAQ for renters, and versions of the CDC declaration form in 13 languages.

The federal eviction moratorium provides essential relief for renters, but it merely postpones evictions – it doesn’t prevent them. Congress must provide at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to keep renters stably housed during and after the pandemic.

Additional updates are here: https://tinyurl.com/yyjohftv

September 24, 2020

We are alarmed by reports that Los Angeles County’s Project Roomkey is beginning to wind down due to uncertainty around FEMA reimbursement. There are concerns that FEMA might suddenly stop funding the program, forcing the county to abruptly shut down hotels before the opportunity to move residents into permanent housing. Please let us know if you are aware of other cities or states with non-congregate shelter programs running into similar issues with FEMA, so we can raise this issue with Hill staff.

Please continue to spread awareness about the federal eviction moratorium and the steps renters must take to be protected! NLIHC’s National Moratorium webpage has materials developed by NLIHC, NHLP, and other national partners, including an overview of the moratorium, an FAQ for renters, and versions of the CDC declaration form in 13 languages. The federal eviction moratorium provides essential relief for renters, but it merely postpones evictions – it doesn’t prevent them. Congress must provide at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to keep renters stably housed during and after the pandemic.

Join Ta-Nehisi Coates, National Book Award winner and distinguished writer in residence at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, and NLIHC for a conversation on “Racial Equity and Housing Justice during and after COVID-19” on October 6, at 1pm ET. If you haven’t done so already, register for the live-stream event at: https://bit.ly/3io8Q7Q. Don’t forget to submit questions for Mr. Coates through the registration page or via social media using #RacialEquityandCOVID!

Additional updates are here: https://tinyurl.com/yywbkhcb

September 21, 2020

As Senator Schatz (D-HI) mentioned on today’s national call, we must continue to spread awareness about the federal eviction moratorium and declaration to all renters. Please continue to do all you can to ensure every renter knows about the protection and takes the steps necessary to stay in their home!

Urge your members of Congress and policymakers at all levels to inform struggling constituents of their protections under the CDC order. Details about the moratorium and a sample declaration can be found on NLIHC’s National Moratorium webpage that includes materials developed by NLIHC, NHLP, and other national partners, including an overview of the moratorium, an FAQ for renters, and versions of the CDC declaration form in nine languages. A detailed legal analysis of the moratorium is available on NHLP’s webpage.

Additional updates are here: https://tinyurl.com/yxwo2833

September 17, 2020

Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) will be joining our next national call on coronavirus, disaster, housing, and homelessness on Monday, September 21, from 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET! We will hear about how the federal eviction moratorium is being implemented in communities, learn about a 30-day campaign for stimulus payment outreach, and receive updates from communities impacted by the recent natural disasters. We also will hear the latest from Capitol Hill on COVID-19 relief and disaster supplemental bills. Register for the call here:  https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Evidence is growing that corporate landlords are trying to rush evictions through court systems before renters learn about their rights under the CDC eviction moratorium. The moratorium protects eligible renters that have signed a declarative statement, but most renters remain unaware of the moratorium and the steps they must take to protect their homes!

NLIHC and the National Housing Law Project (NHLP) sent a letter to Treasury, HUD, USDA, and FHFA, urging the agencies to immediately direct federally supported rental property owners and housing authorities to provide tenants written notice of their rights and steps they must take to be protected.

Please do all you can to get the word out about the moratorium and declarations to all renters!  Urge your members of Congress and policy makers at all levels to inform struggling constituents of their protections under the CDC order. Details about the moratorium and a sample declaration can be found on NLIHC’s National Moratorium webpage that includes materials developed by NLIHC, NHLP, and other national partners, including: 

Additional updates are here: https://tinyurl.com/y3kw3xpl

September 14, 2020

We are keeping everyone impacted by the devastating fires in California, Oregon, and Washington and those in the path of Hurricane Sally in our thoughts. The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) is working to ensure FEMA takes immediate action to protect the health and safety of people experiencing homelessness and ensure housing stability for the lowest-income survivors displaced by the wildfires.

We also continue to advocate for needed reforms to our nation’s disaster recovery system to ensure the lowest-income and most marginalized people are not repeatedly left behind in disaster response, recovery, and rebuilding. In wake of recent disasters like Hurricane Laura, the ongoing wildfires in the west, and the Iowa derecho, we will continue to push for these reforms in Congress as assistance packages are developed.

Additional updates are here: https://tinyurl.com/y2s8az5y

September 9, 2020

We are closely monitoring the wildfires burning across the West Coast, and our thoughts are with the people and communities impacted by the fires. As with other disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic, NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) stands ready to convene and support disaster-impacted communities to ensure that federal disaster recovery efforts reach all impacted households, including the lowest-income and most marginalized people who are often the hardest-hit by disasters and have the fewest resources to recover.

We hope you can join us for tomorrow’s (9/10) virtual congressional briefing on “Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System” at 3:00pm ET. The NLIHC-led DHRC of more than 850 local, state, and national organizations working in disaster recovery released a two-part report, “Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System,” outlining the barriers to a complete and equitable disaster recovery and recommendations for policy reform. Learn about the report’s recommendations, the need for its reforms, and current disaster recovery reform efforts during the virtual briefing. Please join us and invite your members of Congress to attend! Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3hL7i7j

Thank you to everyone who participated in today’s #GetBackToWork tweetstorm! Even though evictions are paused until December, back-rent is still owned once the moratorium is lifted. We need Congress to pass a robust coronavirus relief bill that includes the housing and homelessness resources included in the House-passed “HEROES Act.”

Take action:

  1. Share information with renters about the federal eviction moratorium and the steps they must take to be protected. See NLIHC’s National Eviction Moratorium page for important information and resources.
  2. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
  3. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress and the White House restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email.
  4. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people remain stably housed.
  5. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s Media Toolkit.

Additional updates are here: https://tinyurl.com/y4kh9oas

September 4, 2020

A federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) goes into effect today, September 4, extending vital protections to tens of millions of renters at risk of eviction for nonpayment of rent during the pandemic. Now we must work to ensure every renter in need knows about this protection and takes the steps necessary to stay in their home. We also must push Congress and the White House to #GetBacktoWork on a COVID-19 relief bill that pairs a national eviction moratorium with at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance.

Join NLIHC’s national call on coronavirus, disasters, housing, and homelessness on Tuesday, September 8 at 2:30-4:00pm ET for an in-depth discussion on the federal eviction moratorium and critical steps renters must take to ensure they are protected. Our partners at the National Housing Law Project will join us for the discussion. We will also hear about the latest data on evictions from Matthew Desmond and Peter Hepburn from the Eviction Lab at Princeton University and discuss national advocacy efforts. Register for the call here!

NLIHC is holding a congressional briefing on “Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System” on September 10 at 3:00pm ET. The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition released the two-part report “Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System.” Learn about the report’s recommendations, the need for its reforms, and current disaster recovery reform efforts during the virtual briefing. Please join us and invite your members of Congress to attend! Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3hL7i7j

Take action:

  1. Share information with renters about the federal eviction moratorium and the steps they must take to be protected! See NLIHC and NHLP’s Overview and FAQ for more details on the moratorium and a sample declaration form that renters can use.
  2. Participate in the #GetBackToWork National Tweetstorm on September 9 from 1-2pm ET to tell Congress that housing stability during and after this pandemic cannot wait. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
  3. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress and the White House restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
  4. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people remain stably housed.
  5. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s Media Toolkit.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/yyglofle

September 2, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services yesterday (9/1) issued a national moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent. The action is long overdue, badly needed, and will provide essential protection to millions of renters.

While an eviction moratorium during the pandemic is essential, it is a half-measure that delays but does not prevent evictions. Congress and the White House must get back to work on negotiations to enact a comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill that includes NLIHC’s top priorities: a national, uniform moratorium on all evictions for nonpayment of rent; at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance; and $11.5 billion to help prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.

Read NLIHC’s statement on the eviction moratorium here.

Take action:

  1. Participate in the #GetBackToWork National Tweetstorm on September 9 from 1-2pm ET to tell Congress that housing stability during and after this pandemic cannot wait. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
  2. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress and the White House restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
  3. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people remain stably housed.
  4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s Media Toolkit.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/yxkyuzbw

August 31, 2020

The Senate will be back in session next week. Join NLIHC, the Coalition on Human Needs, and other advocates for a #GetBackToWork tweetstorm on September 9 from 1-2pm ET! Tell Congress that millions of renters and people experiencing homelessness cannot wait. Congress must immediately pass a coronavirus relief bill that includes the essential resources and protections for the lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness included in the “HEROES Act.” Find sample tweets here: https://bit.ly/2YMwnHG.

Save the Date: NLIHC will be holding a congressional briefing on “Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System” on September 10 at 3:00pm ET. The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition released the two-part report “Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System.” Learn about the report’s recommendations, the need for its reforms, and current disaster recovery reform efforts during the virtual briefing. Please join us and invite your members of Congress to attend! Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3hL7i7j

Take action today:

  1. Call and email your senators and representatives. Tell them to #DoYourJob, get back to the negotiating table, and immediately pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email. Find a sample script here.
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to schedule meetings with members of Congress and engage with them on housing talking points.
  3. Amplify personal stories, news articles, blog posts, and other information on social media about how congressional inaction is exacerbating evictions and harming people with the lowest incomes. Use #GetBackToWork, #DoYourJob, and #RentReliefNow. Use NLIHC’s Social Media Toolkit for sample posts and images. Find additional sample social media posts for the Day of Action here.
  4. Share stories of how the threat of being evicted has impacted your well-being through NLIHC’s story banking form. We will share these stories with members of Congress, reporters, and on social media.
  5. Pitch op-eds to your local newspapers about the need for Congress to restart negotiations and how the pandemic is harming low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. NLIHC’s #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit contains an op-ed template to help get you started.

Coronavirus Update, Monday, August 31, 2020

Please note that NLIHC hosts weekly national calls on coronavirus, disaster, housing, and homelessness on Mondays at 2:30pm. Due to Labor Day, the next call will be on Tuesday, September 8, from 2:30-4:00pm ET. Matthew Desmond, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and principal investigator at Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, will be joining the call! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y4abwdhp

August 28, 2020

Join Monday’s (August 31) national call on coronavirus, disasters, housing, and homelessness at 2:30-4:00pm ET. We will hear updates on the devastation wrought by Hurricane Laura in the Gulf Coast, the wildfires in California, and the massive storms in Iowa. We will also learn about a framework for racial equity for neighborhood rental assistance and discuss the state of play between the White House and Congress on a coronavirus relief package, getting the essential housing and homelessness provisions in the House-passed “HEROES Act” enacted, and working with Congress on other disaster housing response legislation. We will discuss what advocates can do and review advocacy resources available to them. Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Please continue putting pressure on your members of Congress, especially Senate Republicans, to restart negotiations and pass a coronavirus relief package that includes the essential housing and homelessness provisions in the House-passed “HEROES Act.”

Take action today:

  1. Call and email your senators and representatives. Tell them to #DoYourJob, get back to the negotiating table, and immediately pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email. Find a sample script here.
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to schedule meetings with members of Congress and engage with them on housing talking points.
  3. Amplify personal stories, news articles, blog posts, and other information on social media about how congressional inaction is exacerbating evictions and harming people with the lowest incomes. Use #GetBackToWork, #DoYourJob, and #RentReliefNow. Use NLIHC’s Social Media Toolkit for sample posts and images. Find additional sample social media posts for the Day of Action here.
  4. Share stories of how the threat of being evicted has impacted your well-being through NLIHC’s story banking form. We will share these stories with members of Congress, reporters, and on social media.
  5. Pitch op-eds to your local newspapers about the need for Congress to restart negotiations and how the pandemic is harming low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. NLIHC’s #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit contains an op-ed template to help get you started.
     

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y24levdr

August 24, 2020

Thank you to everyone who participated in today’s National Day of Action! Advocates across the nation demanded that Senate Republicans #GetBackToWork and pass #RentReliefNow. The CARES Act, which expired July 24, required landlords to give tenants 30 days’ notice of their intention to file for an eviction. Today (August 24) marks the end of the 30-day period, meaning that widespread evictions could begin today. The time for political games has long passed.

Please continue putting pressure on your members of Congress, especially Senate Republicans, to restart negotiations and pass a coronavirus relief package that includes the essential housing and homelessness provisions in the House-passed “HEROES Act.”

Take action today:

  1. Call and email your senators and representatives. Tell them to #DoYourJob, get back to the negotiating table, and immediately pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email. Find a sample script here.
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to schedule meetings with members of Congress and engage with them on housing talking points.
  3. Amplify personal stories, news articles, blog posts, and other information on social media about how congressional inaction is exacerbating evictions and harming people with the lowest incomes. Use #GetBackToWork, #DoYourJob, and #RentReliefNow. Use NLIHC’s Social Media Toolkit for sample posts and images. Find additional sample social media posts for the Day of Action here.
  4. Share stories of how the threat of being evicted has impacted your well-being through NLIHC’s story banking form. We will share these stories with members of Congress, reporters, and on social media.
  5. Pitch op-eds to your local newspapers about the need for Congress to restart negotiations and how the pandemic is harming low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. NLIHC’s #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit contains an op-ed template to help get you started.
     

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y382n6pd

August 21, 2020

Millions of renters and people experiencing homelessness lack the resources and protections they need to stay safe and remain stably housed. Senate Republicans need to stop playing political games, do their jobs, and immediately negotiate on a relief bill that includes the essential housing protections and provisions that passed the House over three months ago in the “HEROES Act.”

Join NLIHC, the Coalition on Human Needs, and advocates across the nation for a Day of Action on August 24 to demand that Congress #GetBackToWork and #DoYourJob!

Ways to Participate:

  1. Call and email your senators and representatives. Tell them to #DoYourJob, get back to the negotiating table, and immediately pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email. Find a sample script here.
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to schedule meetings with members of Congress and engage with them on housing talking points.
  3. Amplify personal stories, news articles, blog posts, and other information on social media about how congressional inaction is exacerbating evictions and harming people with the lowest incomes. Use #GetBackToWork, #DoYourJob, and #RentReliefNow. Use NLIHC’s Social Media Toolkit for sample posts and images. Find additional sample social media posts for the Day of Action here.
  4. Share stories of how the threat of being evicted has impacted your well-being through NLIHC’s story banking form. We will share these stories with members of Congress, reporters, and on social media.
  5. Pitch op-eds to your local newspapers about the need for Congress to restart negotiations and how the pandemic is harming low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. NLIHC’s #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit contains an op-ed template to help get you started.
     

Join Monday’s (August 24) national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness at 2:30-4:00pm ET for a discussion on the latest state of play on coronavirus relief and needed advocacy actions. We will also hear about Monday’s Day of Action, discuss the issue of utility cut-offs, receive updates from the field, and more. Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y382n6pd

August 19, 2020

Senate Republicans unveiled yesterday a revised coronavirus relief proposal that is even more unacceptable and inadequate than the “HEALS Act.” The so-called “skinny bill” would do almost nothing to prevent the impending tsunami of evictions and increase in homelessness.

Join NLIHC, the Coalition on Human Needs, and advocates across the nation for a Day of Action on August 24 to demand that Congress #GetBackToWork and #DoYourJob to pass a comprehensive relief bill that includes the essential resources and protections for the lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness included in the “HEROES Act.”

Ways to Participate:

  1. Call and email your senators and representatives. Tell them to #DoYourJob, get back to the negotiating table, and immediately pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email. Find a sample script here.
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to schedule meetings with members of Congress and engage with them on housing talking points.
  3. Amplify personal stories, news articles, blog posts, and other information on social media about how congressional inaction is exacerbating evictions and harming people with the lowest incomes. Use #GetBackToWork, #DoYourJob, and #RentReliefNow. Use NLIHC’s Social Media Toolkit for sample posts and images. Find additional sample social media posts for the Day of Action here.
  4. Share stories of how the threat of being evicted has impacted your well-being through NLIHC’s story banking form. We will share these stories with members of Congress, reporters, and on social media.
  5. Pitch op-eds to your local newspapers about the need for Congress to restart negotiations and how the pandemic is harming low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. NLIHC’s #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit contains an op-ed template to help get you started.

 
Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y65lx2rj

August 17, 2020


The Senate adjourned for August recess through Labor Day, walking away from negotiations and putting tens of millions of renters at imminent risk of evictions and homelessness. The stakes could not be higher – every day of inaction puts more seniors, people with disabilities, families, and other individuals at risk of losing their homes in the middle of a pandemic. As Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said on today’s call, “America suffers while the Senate slumbers.”

Thanks to your amazing advocacy, we have made great progress building bipartisan support for NLIHC’s top priorities. We need to keep putting pressure on Congress to resume negotiations and reach a deal that includes robust housing and homelessness resources and protections. Please contact your members of Congress and demand that they #GetBackToWork!

Take action today:

  1. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people remain stably housed.
  3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand that they #GetBackToWork and #DoYourJob.
  4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit.
  5. Share stories of how the threat of being evicted has impacted your well-being through NLIHC’s story banking form. We will share these stories with members of Congress, reporters, and on social media.

 
Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y4klm8t8

August 14, 2020

Without reaching an agreement on a fourth coronavirus relief bill, the Senate adjourned for recess until September 8. Every day of inaction puts more seniors, people with disabilities, families, and others at imminent risk of losing their homes in the middle of a pandemic. Without significant and sustained federal intervention, 30 to 40 million renters are at risk of eviction by the end of the year.

The president and congressional leaders must resume negotiations and work out a comprehensive deal that includes robust housing and homelessness resources and protections. The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of providing essential rental assistance to households at risk of eviction and homelessness.

Join us in demanding action today:

  1. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people remain stably housed.
  3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress!
  4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit.

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) will join Monday’s (August 17) national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness at 2:30-4:00pm ET. Senator Merkley will provide updates from the Hill and discuss needed advocacy actions to get policymakers to take action and enact critical housing and homelessness provisions and protections as soon as possible. We will hear about national advocacy efforts and equitable homelessness response, get updates from the field, and more! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/yydzzhwd

August 12, 2020


On August 8, President Trump backed away from negotiations and signed an executive order that will do nothing to protect the estimated 30 to 40 million renters at risk of losing their homes. The president signed the executive order despite growing bipartisan support for congressional action to address the housing and health needs of the lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

As NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel said in a press statement, “the time for political games, half-measures, and brinkmanship has long passed.” The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of providing essential rental assistance to households at risk of eviction and homelessness. Negotiations must resume, and a comprehensive deal that includes robust housing and homelessness provisions and protections must be reached as soon as possible.

Take action today:

  1. Contact your senators and representatives: Demand that Congress restart negotiations and pass the essential housing provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email!
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure people remain stably housed.
  3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
  4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y534dyg6

August 10, 2020


Negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House stalled over the weekend as President Trump issued a series of executive orders, including one purporting to extend protections to struggling households at risk of eviction. As NLIHC president and CEO Diane Yentel described in a press statement, however, the executive order is “an empty shell of a promise that does nothing to prevent evictions and homelessness and acts only to mislead renters into believing that they are protected when they are not.”

Congressional leaders and the White House may resume negotiations soon, so it is critical that advocates continue to contact their members of Congress. Thanks to your advocacy efforts, a growing number of Republican lawmakers want the party’s leadership to include measures to prevent evictions in the next economic relief package. And, Democratic champions are holding firm on the need for essential resources and protections for low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

Here are four actions you can take today:

  1. Contact your senators and representatives again today: Demand that Congress pass the essential housing and homelessness provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send them an email!
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.
  3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
  4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y3k2xsfc

August 5, 2020

Negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package are in progress, and Congress may reach a deal soon. We’re making progress – it’s clear that your advocacy over the last several months is having a significant impact! Thanks to your dedicated advocacy efforts, a growing number of Republican lawmakers want the party’s leadership to include measures to prevent evictions in the next economic relief package. And, Democratic champions are holding firm on the need for essential resources and protections for low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

Millions of renters may lose their homes if Congress and the White House refuse to act. This is the most critical time for your advocacy – keep putting pressure on your members of Congress!

Here are four actions you can take today:

  1. Contact your senators and representatives again today: Demand that Congress pass the essential housing and homelessness provisions of the HEROES Act. Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send them an email!
  2. Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.
  3. Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
  4. Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit here.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y2fg9mfy

August 3, 2020

Congressional leaders are in the midst of negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package, and thanks to your incredible advocacy, all of NLIHC’s priorities for housing and homelessness resources and protections are on the table. We are hearing from about a dozen Republican Senators, and even the White House, that they are interested in supporting measures to prevent the wave of evictions and homelessness that we’ll see if Congress doesn’t take action immediately.

We’re making progress, but much more work lies ahead of us. And, this is the most critical time for your advocacy!

As Senator Hirono (D-HI) said on today’s call, we must continue putting pressure on members of Congress to enact the robust housing and homelessness resources and protections in the House-passed HEROES Act in the next package.

On August 1, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel joined Kendis Gibson on MSNBC to discuss the coming eviction wave and what Congress must do to stop it. “It’s very clear that if Congress doesn’t act, we will see a tremendous wave of evictions and an increase in homelessness across the country,” said Diane. Watch the interview.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y5gzvugs

July 31, 2020

Rent is due tomorrow, and millions of people in America are unable to pay. The Senate Republican proposal for the next coronavirus relief package would do next to nothing to stem the tide of evictions that has already begun. The good news is that we are already seeing that your advocacy is having an impact – policymakers are feeling pressure to act!

Contact your members of Congress today and tell them that it is unconscionable and unacceptable to allow people to remain unhoused or lose their homes during a pandemic.

  • Contact your senators and representatives today by phone or send them an email. Tell them that the Senate proposal is unacceptable and that Congress must pass the essential housing provisions in the HEROES Act.
  • Use NLIHC’s Advocacy Toolkit to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability.
  • Call out the need for #RentReliefNow on social media, using our sample social media posts and images. Tag your member of Congress and demand action!
  • Publish op-eds and letters to the editor in your local papers using NLIHC’s media toolkit.

Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) will join Monday’s (August 3) national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness at 2:30-4pm ET! Senator Hirono will provide updates from the Hill on the next coronavirus relief package and what advocates need to do to ensure essential housing and homelessness provisions are included in that package. We will hear how other national advocacy leaders are mobilizing and influencing members of Congress for #RentReliefNow, receive updates from the field, and more! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/yxevf3ju

July 29, 2020

Yesterday, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management for a hearing on equitable disaster recovery.

Diane called attention to FEMA’s continued failure to meet the housing needs of the lowest-income and most marginalized disaster survivors: “America’s disaster housing recovery system is fundamentally broken. It consistently exacerbates the housing crisis, solidifies segregation and racial inequities, and deepens inequality.” You can watch a recording of the hearing and read Diane’s testimony.

NLIHC released yesterday, “Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Housing Recovery System Part Two: Policy Framework Reform Recommendations.” The coronavirus pandemic has brought into stark relief the need to address the barriers outlined in Part 1 of the report and enact the comprehensive set of reforms discussed in Part 2 of the report. Both reports were written by NLIHC and the Fair Share Housing Center of New Jersey with critical input from DHRC members, including many with first-hand experience recovering after disasters. Incorporating these policy recommendations will ensure that our nation’s disaster response – whether to a natural disaster or pandemic – meets the housing and health needs of the most marginalized and lowest-income people.
 
Congress must take every action to protect people experiencing homelessness and prevent the imminent wave of evictions and all their harmful outcomes. The time to act is now:

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y65kp8gw

July 27, 2020

Senate Republicans released today a coronavirus relief package that would do next to nothing to prevent millions of people in America from being evicted from their homes during a pandemic. Each day of Senate inaction puts more low-income renters at immediate risk of losing their homes.

As Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) said on today’s national call, we must continue to reach out to our members of Congress, especially our Republican legislators, and ensure that they understand what is at stake for millions of families if we do not take this looming eviction crisis seriously.

The time to act is now. Make your voices heard at this critical moment by contacting your members of Congress by phone, sending them an email, or tagging them on social media with the hashtag #RentReliefNow! Use our Virtual Lobby Day Toolkit to urge Congress to immediately enact the essential housing protections and provisions that the House passed over two months ago.

Read NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel’s statement on the Senate Republicans’ Coronavirus Relief Package here.

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y2k9jqhj

July 24, 2020
The federal eviction moratorium expires tonight, July 24, at midnight, and ending this protection puts millions of families at risk of being evicted. Together we can prevent the harmful outcomes of having millions evicted during a pandemic – but we are running out of time.

Senate Republicans will unveil their relief proposal next week, which will set off negotiations among congressional leaders. The next few weeks will be critical to our efforts to address the health and housing needs of low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness.

Please take every opportunity to reach out to your members of Congress between now and when a final bill is passed!

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) will join Monday’s (July 27) national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness at 2:30-4:00pm ET. She will discuss the Republican’s proposed coronavirus relief package, the Democrats’ response, and how advocates can help ensure that the essential housing and homelessness components in the House-passed “HEROES Act” and “Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020” are included the next coronavirus relief package. We will also hear important updates from senior officials at HUD, get updates from the field, and more. Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Additional updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y52yehbu

July 20, 2020

Today, NLIHC released a research report, “State and Local Rental Assistance Programs: Finding Solutions for a Growing Crisis,” analyzing nearly 200 rental assistance programs that were created or expanded in response to COVID-19. The report finds that although the CARES Act has allocated some funding for emergency rental assistance programs, far more funding is necessary to ensure low-income households can remain stably housed in the coming months.

One key finding from the report: Of the 195 state/local rental assistance programs we tracked, 57 programs (or 30%) have already closed due to the lack of funding. Twenty of these programs were open for less than a week before they reached capacity!

As NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel made clear in her Point of View in this week’s Memo to Members and Partners, we can prevent the terrible outcome of having millions evicted during a pandemic, but we are running out of time. Congress must act quickly to ensure households can remain in their homes.

Please join us for our Virtual Lobby Day tomorrow, July 21, to demand immediate action from your Senators and Representatives! Congress will move on a coronavirus relief spending package before the end of July, and the window is closing for needed advocacy. Now is the time for us to demand #RentReliefNow. Download our Virtual Lobby Day Toolkit or browse its contents and additional resources here.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y6lxaagh

July 17. 2020

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) will join our next national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness this coming Monday, July 20, at 2:30-4:00pm ET. Senator Wyden will discuss the current state of play in Congress and how advocates can help ensure that essential housing and homelessness provisions are included in the next coronavirus relief package. We will also discuss a framework for achieving racial equity in addressing homelessness during the pandemic, examine the current threats of eviction nationwide, hear updates from the field, and more! Register for the call here.

There are just eight days until the federal eviction moratoriums expire, and Congress is running out of time to prevent an eviction crisis and a rise in homelessness. Join us for a Virtual Lobby Day next Tuesday, July 21 to urge Congress to provide emergency housing resources and protections for the lowest-income people during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we will urge Congress to include NLIHC’s top priorities for housing stability in the next coronavirus relief package. Check out our Virtual Lobby Day Toolkit for more information and resources!

Please also consider adding your organization to two sign on letters urging Congress to immediately enact critical housing investments and protections!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y5msurdj

July 14, 2020

We would love to invite you and other advocates across the nation to attend NLIHC’s virtual Congressional briefing on “America’s Housing Crisis Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic” this Thursday, July 16, at 2:00pm ET.

We hope you can join us. And, we encourage you to share this invitation with your members of Congress and their staff too! You can register for the briefing at: https://tinyurl.com/y8lasfjb


Out of Reach: What State and Local Data Tell Us About America’s Housing Crisis Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Virtual Congressional Briefing
Thursday, July 16 from 2pm to 3pm ET

RSVP TODAY!

 
As the pandemic continues, millions of people in America cannot afford to pay rent. Low-wage workers are losing jobs fastest from pandemic-related shutdowns, and most struggled to pay rent even before COVID-19. While a patchwork of federal, state, and local eviction moratoriums has provided short-term relief to some renters, many renters are not protected by the national moratorium and millions of renters will be at risk of losing their homes when moratoriums are lifted and back rent is owed. Without immediate federal action, millions of renters – disproportionately Black, Latino, and Native renters – will be evicted from their homes and will be at imminent risk of homelessness.
 
Panelists will share the key information policymakers need about affordable housing crisis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers will share findings from NLIHC’s two newest reports – Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing (to be published on July 14!) and The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Rental Homes – as well as public polling results on immediate and long-term policy solutions. Learn more about NLIHC’s top priorities for the next coronavirus relief package.
 
Opening remarks will be made by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
 
Panelists include:

  • Dan Threet, research analyst, National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP
  • Mindy Woods, steering committee member, Resident Action Project and board member, National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Diane Yentel, president and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Mike Koprowski, national campaign director, Opportunity Starts at Home campaign
  • Chantelle Wilkinson, housing campaign coordinator, Opportunity Starts at Home campaign

State and congressional district information will be made available to any Hill staffer who registers to attend.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y7qmbv3c

July 13, 2020

As discussed on today’s national call, every day of Congressional inaction puts more low-income renters at immediate risk of eviction and homelessness. This is our last chance to stem the tide of evictions, so please continue to do everything that you can to demand that Congress provides #RentReliefNow!

Join us for a Virtual Lobby Day on July 21 to send a clear message that struggling renters and people experiencing homelessness cannot wait any longer. Schedule video or phone meetings with your members of Congress and urge them to include critical housing resources in the next coronavirus relief package. Our Virtual Lobby Day Toolkit has the resources you need to hold effective advocacy meetings with your senators and representatives.

Please also consider adding your organization to two sign on letters urging Congress to immediately enact critical housing investments and protections!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yb2o3em4

July 10, 2020

Join us for our next national call on coronavirus, housing, and homeless on Monday, July 13 from 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET! Our guest speakers will include Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria and HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Hunter Kurtz. Sasha Wisotsky Kergan of the California Department of Housing and Community Development will speak about finding permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness who have been residing in FEMA-funded hotels during the pandemic. We will also hear updates from the field and Capitol Hill, discuss needed advocacy actions, and much more. Register for the call here:https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

Just a reminder that NLIHC will be holding a Virtual Lobby Day on July 21, 2020! Join us in demanding that Congress take immediate action to ensure housing stability for low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. Check out our Virtual Lobby Day Toolkit!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yb2o3em4

July 8, 2020

Thanks to your dedicated advocacy efforts, support for critical housing resources is growing in both the Senate and House! When the Senate returns from recess on July 20, let’s unite and send a clear message that the lowest-income renters cannot wait! Join us for a Virtual Lobby Day on July 21 to urge Congress to immediately enact the housing elements of the HEROES Act to protect low-income renters and prevent a tsunami of evictions.

We have created a Virtual Lobby Day Toolkit with key resources you’ll need to participate in the event. The tools include background information, sample talking points, tips for effective storytelling, social media message, and more.

In case you missed it, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel joined PBS NewsHour to discuss the coming wave of evictions and how the eviction crisis will disproportionately harm Black and brown renters. Watch the clip here!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yc7uh9d8

July 6, 2020

Don’t forget that Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author and creator of the New York Times Magazine’s “The 1619 Project,” and Marla Newman, NLIHC board chair, will address “Racial Equity and Housing Justice During and After COVID-19” tomorrow, July 7, at 2pm ET. Register for the live-stream event at https://bit.ly/3ew4Znc!

We invite you to participate in a virtual lobby day on July 21 to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic! As discussed on today’s national call, it’s essential that advocates continue to engage with their members of Congress many times over the next several weeks. Your senators, especially your Republican senators, need to hear from you about how urgently your community needs critical housing resources and protections.

Keep an eye out for our virtual lobby day toolkit, which will include guidance on scheduling meetings, tips for effective virtual advocacy meetings, and new messaging tips and talking points!

Additional updates at: https://mailchi.mp/nlihc.org/dhrc-covid-19-update-7-6-2020?e=ab27b4f987

July 1, 2020

Rent was due today, and millions of people across the country were unable to pay. NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel spoke about the urgent need for emergency rental assistance in interviews with BBC News and ABC News. This evening, Senate Democrats took to the floor to demand action for the millions of people struggling to pay their rent or at risk of losing their homes.

Now, Congress needs to hear from you about how urgently your community needs critical housing resources and protections. We invite you to participate in a virtual lobby day on July 21, 2020 to urge Congress to take immediate action to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic!

We encourage you to participate by scheduling meetings or phone calls with your members of Congress leading up to Tuesday, July 21. Together, we will urge Congress to include NLIHC’s top priorities in the next coronavirus relief package. Keep an eye out for our Virtual Lobby Day Advocacy Toolkit, and as always, reach out to us if you have any questions!

Don’t forget that Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author and creator of the New York Times Magazine’s “The 1619 Project,” and Marla Newman, NLIHC board chair, will have a conversation on “Racial Equity and Housing Justice during and after COVID-19” on July 7, at 2:00 pm ET! Register today for this live-stream event at https://bit.ly/3ew4Znc.  Submit questions for Nikole through the registration page or via social media using #RacialEquityandCOVID.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/ydh4pabg

June 24, 2020

We have just learned that the House plans to vote next week – as soon as Monday, June 29 – on the “Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020” (H.R. 7301). This bill is a collection of the various emergency housing provisions already approved by the House in the HEROES Act, including NLIHC’s top priorities: emergency rental assistance, a national, uniform eviction moratorium, resources to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness, and other critical resources aimed at ensuring housing stability during and after the pandemic.

Renters cannot wait for the broader coronavirus package expected in late July. Please ask your representatives to vote in favor of the “Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020,” and urge your senators to take up the bill in the Senate and vote to approve it! Contact your members of Congress through NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center, and consider adding your organization to two national sign on letters!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yd2v7mky

June 22, 2020

As we discussed on today’s national call on COVID-19, housing, and homelessness, advocates are making important progress in educating their Senators and Representatives on the urgent need for housing and homelessness resources in the next coronavirus package.

Over the next several weeks, please continue to urge your members of Congress to support the housing investments and protections included in the HEROES Act – including the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act – in the next coronavirus relief package. And please, consider adding your organization to two national sign on letters!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y6u9utxo

June 17, 2020

We’re excited to announce a new partnership among several national organizations and leaders dedicated to helping communities navigate their response to COVID-19 with a racial justice and equity lens. The partnership includes NLIHC, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, two former executive directors of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the National Innovation Service, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, and the Urban Institute. The partnership is rooted in “The Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response,” which will be updated and supplemented with specific tools for implementing an equity-based plan to address both the public health and economic crises. Stay tuned for more information!

Please continue to advocate for housing investments and protections in the next coronavirus relief package by urging your Senators to support the housing provisions in the HEROES Act, and consider adding your organization to NLIHC’s two national sign on letters!

Please note that NLIHC offices will be closed on Friday, June 19 in recognition of Juneteenth.

The next DHRC update will be sent on Monday, June 22.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/ycxmgvsj

June 15, 2020

Thank you to everyone who attended today’s national call with Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM)! As the representative said, “we all need to work together. No one should be denied the fundamental right to a roof over their head.” We thank Representative Haaland for her powerful call to action and leadership on ensuring critical housing and homelessness resources are included in the next coronavirus relief package!

As discussed on today’s national call, NLIHC has developed a #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit to help our members, partners, and allies amplify the urgent need for emergency rental assistance. We encourage you to use these media resources to build awareness about the importance of including the housing provisions from the HEROES Act in the next bill! In addition to influencing members of Congress who haven’t already co-sponsored the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act,” consider thanking those who have co-sponsored the bill and support the critical housing provisions in the HEROES Act.

Please continue to tell your Senators to support the housing provisions in the HEROES Act, and consider adding your organization totwo sign on letters urging Congress to ensure housing stability for low-income renters during and after the COVID-19 pandemic!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/ybnjqwb6

June 12, 2020

Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM), one of the first Native American women to serve in Congress, will join our next national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness next Monday, June 15, at 2:30pm-4:30pm ET. We will discuss updates on Capitol Hill related to the next coronavirus relief package, explore how to ensure federal resources serve all protected classes, learn about communicating the need for emergency rental assistance with the media, hear updates from the field and HUD funding, and more! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

On Wednesday, Representative Denny Heck (D-WA) introduced into the congressional record a letter signed by more than 600 organizations urging Congress to enact the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act.” The bill was discussed at the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance virtual hearing on June 10. Thank you to everyone who signed on to the letter and shared it with your networks! If you haven’t signed on yet, you can do so here.

Please continue to put pressure on your Representatives and Senators to enact the critical housing and homelessness provisions included in the HEROES Act! Members of Congress listen to their constituents, so use local stories and data to demonstrate the urgent need for #RentReliefNow and other important housing and homelessness resources in your communities.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y9pluzl4

June 8, 2020

Thank you to everyone who attended today’s national call with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)! As he said, “$100 billion in rental assistance is absolutely essential. We cannot afford to wait.” We thank Senator Minority Leader Schumer for securing $12 billion in housing resources in the CARES Act and for his support for housing and homelessness resources in the next coronavirus relief package!

Without federal intervention, there will be a surge of evictions and homelessness, and once again, people of color will be disproportionately impacted. Please contact your Senators and ask them to immediately enact the critical housing investments and protections included in the HEROES Act! The next coronavirus relief bill could be the final one, so this is our last and perhaps our best opportunity to secure critical resources that keep people stably housed during and after the pandemic.

Please also consider adding your organization to two sign on letters urging Congress to immediately enact critical housing investments and protections!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yc4z8vda

June 5, 2020

Don’t forget that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will join our next national call on Coronavirus, Housing, and Homelessness on Monday, June 8, 2:30-4 pm ET! This is our opportunity to thank Minority Leader Schumer for securing $12 billion in housing resources in the CARES Act and for his support for housing and homelessness resources in the next coronavirus package. We will also discuss “Addressing Anti-Blackness, Achieving Racial Equity,” hear updates from the field, and more. We hope you join us! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

Use the #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit to raise awareness around the need to include critical housing and homelessness resources in the next coronavirus relief package. The toolkit contains sample social media posts, images, and an Op-Ed template.

Please also consider adding your organization to two sign on letters urging Congress to immediately enact critical housing investments and protections!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y8tolsqo

June 3, 2020

We’re excited to announce that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will be joining our next national call on Coronavirus, Housing, and Homelessness this coming Monday, June 8 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET! This is our opportunity to thank him for securing $12 billion in housing resources in the CARES Act and for his support for housing and homelessness resources in the next coronavirus package. Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s national call with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). As Speaker Pelosi said, “We must deliver rent relief now! We can’t wait any longer. It’s long overdue.” We thank Speaker Pelosi for her powerful call to action and her passionate commitment to addressing housing instability in the next coronavirus response package!

To that end, please continue to urge your members of Congress to support the housing provisions in the HEROES Act! Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that the next coronavirus relief bill could be the final one, so this is our last and perhaps our best opportunity to secure housing resources during and after the pandemic. Please consider adding your organization to two sign on letters urging Congress to immediately enact critical housing investments and protections!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/ybbkd3u8

June 1, 2020

We’re very excited for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to join tomorrow’s (June 2) national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness at 3:30-5 pm ET! Speaker Pelosi will discuss the “HEROES Act,” the bill’s critical housing and homelessness components, and the urgency of enacting the bill! We will also learn about recent polling and support for our policy priorities, hear about preventing unlawful evictions and ways states are using flexible funding to ensure housing instability, get updates from the field, and much more! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

NLIHC’s Opportunity Starts at Home campaign released the results of a national public opinion poll that found overwhelming bipartisan support for our policy solutions! The vast majority of the public, on a bipartisan basis, believes the government should provide emergency rental assistance, expand funding for homeless assistance programs, and enact a nationwide eviction moratorium. Over half of all people expressed concern that they will lose their housing if they don’t receive additional assistance, and this concern is more acute among lower-income households and people of color. View a more in-depth factsheet of the poll results here.

Thank you to everyone who joined our #RentReliefNow tweetstorm today to urge Congress to include critical housing and homelessness resources in the next relief package! Rent is due today, and millions of tenants across the country cannot afford to pay. Read NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel’s statement in Memo here.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/ycs93hyq

May 27, 2020

We’re excited to announce that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will join our next national call on Tuesday, June 2, 3:30-5pm ET! This is our opportunity to thank Speaker Pelosi for her powerful commitment to ensuring housing stability during and after the pandemic and learn about what more we need to do to ensure that critical housing resources and protections are included in the final spending package! Register for the call here:https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

There are lots of ways for you to advocate for housing investments and protections in the next coronavirus relief package:

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y8wr3yl4

May 22, 2020

Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s conversation with Ibrahim X. Kendi and Diane Yentel! We appreciated the insights on racial disparities, especially given the disproportionate burden and risk being carried by communities of color during the pandemic and ongoing economic fallout. Dr. Kendi is one of our nation’s top thought leaders, and we appreciated his insights as the DHRC continues its work to ensure a complete and equitable recovery from this pandemic and its economic impacts. Watch the recording of the conversation here. The COVID Racial Data Tracker that Dr. Kendi discussed during yesterday’s conversation can be found here: https://covidtracking.com/race

Because of the Memorial Day holiday, our next national call on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness will be held on Tuesday, May 26 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. We will discuss updates and needed actions to ensure that critical housing and homelessness resources are included in the next coronavirus relief package, explore the intersection of housing and health, discuss the needs of survivors of domestic violence, learn about state and local efforts to address housing stability, and hear field updates from Utah and Hawaii! Register for the call here:https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/ydg6qjtj

May 20, 2020

Join advocates tomorrow, May 21 at 2:30pm ET for a conversation on “Racial Equity during the COVID-19 Pandemic”between Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, one of our country’s foremost historians and leading antiracist voices, and Diane Yentel, NLIHC president and CEO. They will discuss how our housing and homelessness response to COVID-19 must center racial equity and address systemic inequities. Register today at: https://bit.ly/2WxbQWI. When you register, be sure to submit questions for Dr. Kendi!

Please continue to contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act,” especially if your Democratic Senator has not already expressed their support! The bill currently has 144 House cosponsors and 35 Senate cosponsors. Find out if your member of Congress is cosponsoring the bill here. Be sure to use #RentReliefNow in your efforts to raise awareness around the urgent need to include critical housing resources in the next federal relief package.

The Democratic senators who have not sponsored the bill include:

  • Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)
  • Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
  • Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
  • Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
  • Senator Doug Jones (D-AL)
  • Senator Krysten Sinema (D-AZ)
  • Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
  • Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
  • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
  • Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yc6osnv4

May 18, 2020

We invite everyone to join Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of How to Be an Antiracist and Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, and Diane Yentel, NLIHC president and CEO, for a conversation on “Racial Equity during the COVID-19 Pandemic” on May 21 at 2:30 pm ET. Register today at: https://bit.ly/2WxbQWI. When you register, be sure to submit questions for Dr. Kendi!

Thank you to everyone who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. NLIHC’s Vice President of Public Policy Sarah Saadian provided Hill updates and outlined needed advocacy actions. John Pollock of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka spoke about local eviction moratoriums and policy interventions that their communities are championing to protect low-income renters. Trey Price of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Carol Ditmore of the Arizona Department of Housing, and Cheryl Cohen of Montana Housing discussed how their state housing finance agencies are using Coronavirus Relief Funds and other CARES Act funding to provide rental assistance. We also heard field updates from Matthew Cavanaugh of the Nebraska Housing Developers Association, Erhard Mahnke of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, and Adrienne Bush of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website.

Please continue to contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” and ensure that it is included in the next coronavirus relief package! The bill currently has 144 House co-sponsors and 35 Senate co-sponsors. Find out if your member of Congress is co-sponsoring the bill here.

Please urge your members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill, especially if your Democratic Senator has not already expressed their support! The Democratic senators who have not sponsored the bill include:

  • Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)
  • Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
  • Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
  • Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
  • Senator Doug Jones (D-AL)
  • Senator Krysten Sinema (D-AZ)
  • Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
  • Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
  • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
  • Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Amplify the needs in your communities and the importance of the bill by using #RentReliefNow, and show your organization’s support for the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” at: https://sforce.co/3bzMiwu.

Additional Updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yd2nzbo5

May 15, 2020

Thanks to your powerful and effective advocacy, the House of Representatives voted today to approve the ‘‘Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act,” which includes NLIHC’s top priorities to ensure housing stability during and after the coronavirus pandemic for people experiencing homelessness and America’s lowest-income and most marginalized people.

The HEROES Act provides $200 billion in housing and homelessness resources, including:

  • The “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help keep the lowest-income and most marginalized renters stably housed.
  • A national, uniform moratorium on evictions for nearly all renters for one year.
  • $11.5 billion in homeless assistance grants to help prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.
  • Nearly $13 billion in additional funding for HUD and USDA housing providers and the residents they serve, including $1 billion in new, emergency housing vouchers.

For more details on the HEROES Act, see NLIHC’s analysis. Our statement on the passage of the bill is here.

While this is an important milestone, we have a lot more work to do to ensure these critical resources are a top priority among members of Congress for this next coronavirus relief package. We need your sustained advocacy over the next few weeks:

  1. Urge your senators and representatives to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act!” More than 140 representatives and 34 senators are already cosponsors, but we need more! Find the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email from NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center. Then tweet about it using the hashtag #RentReliefNow!
  2. Sign this letter to Congress to show your support for this critical legislation. National, state, and local organizations and government officials are invited to sign.
  3. Amplify the need on social media using #RentReliefNow. Tag your member of Congress. Find out if they’re already a cosponsor of the bill. 
  4. Join NLIHC’s national call on coronavirus, housing and homelessness on Monday, May 18 at 2:30-4:00 pm ET to learn more about how we can work together to get this legislation enacted to provide critically needed resources to our communities! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

We have also developed a #RentReliefNow Media Toolkit to support your efforts to raise awareness around the urgent need to include critical housing resources in the next federal relief package. The toolkit includes key messages and talking points, sample op-eds, social media posts, and more. Please continue to use #RentReliefNow in your social media posts!

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y7xhfk5w

May 13, 2020

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) unveiled yesterday the Democratic proposal for the next coronavirus relief package, and thanks to your advocacy, it includes NLIHC’s top priorities to ensure housing stability during and after the pandemic:

  • The “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” (S.3685, H.R. 6820) to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help keep renters stably housed.
  • $11.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness.
  • A national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.
  • Nearly $13 billion in funding for housing programs at HUD and USDA.

This is a critical step forward, but we have much more work to do! Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to pass these critically needed housing and homelessness provisions!

Then, take 3 more actions to ensure that housing and homelessness resources are a top priority for the next coronavirus relief package:

  1. Tweet thanks to Speaker Pelosi, Chair Maxine Waters, Chair David Price, Representative Denny Heck and all original cosponsors of the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act for prioritizing #RentReliefNow and homeless assistance funding in the House bill.
  2. Ask your senators and representative to cosponsor the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act. Over 170 members of Congress are cosponsoring these bills, but we need more to get it enacted! Is your member of Congress an original cosponsor? If so, thank them! If not, urge them to cosponsor TODAY! Contact your members of Congress using NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center. Learn more about the bill here.
  3. Show your support for the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act by signing your organization onto this letter and sharing it widely with your networks. National, state, and local organizations and government officials are encouraged to sign on!

We’re also excited to share that Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist and Stamped from the Beginning, and Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the NLIHC, will discuss “Racial Equity During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The live-streamed event will be held on May 21, 2:30-3:30 ET.

Register for the event today at: https://bit.ly/2TaN6Sr.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y98ramkx

May 11, 2020

Thank you to everyone for reaching out to your members of Congress to urge them to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance in the next spending bill! Please continue to call, tweet, and contact your members of Congress using the hashtag #RentReliefNow! If your representatives are already cosponsors, send a tweet to thank them. If they are not cosponsors, please urge them to support the bill immediately. We need to continue the momentum on these critical bills to get them across the finish line!

On this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representative Denny Heck (D-WA) spoke about the bill and the urgent need for rental assistance. NLIHC’s Vice President of Public Policy Sarah Saadian provided an update on the timeline and scope of the fourth coronavirus relief package and an overview of how advocates can help ensure that it will be enacted. NLIHC’s Vice President of Research Andrew Aurand discussed NLIHC’s second research note, “Emergency Rental Assistance Needs for Struggling Workers due to COVID-19,” which outlines the need for emergency rental assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis. Read more in Memo.

We also heard from Lisa Sloan from the Technical Assistance Collaborative and Marie Claire Tran-Leung from the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, who spoke about the needs of people with disabilities and those exiting the criminal justice system, respectively. Field updates were provided by from Elissa Margolin of Housing Action New Hampshire, Bob Palmer of Housing Action Illinois, and Andrew Bradley of Prosperity Indiana.

You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and  – resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/covid-19-working-groupcalls

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y9tud6lk

May 8, 2020

We’re excited to share that Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Representative Denny Heck (D-WA) announced today the introduction of the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act.” The bill was formally introduced in the House with 135 original cosponsors, and Senator Brown will introduce companion legislation next week with 26 Senate original cosponsors!

Thanks to all of your advocacy, this bill was introduced with such strong Congressional support. But we have more work to do. Please continue to urge all members of Congress to cosponsor the bill and tweet about it using #RentReliefNow!

NLIHC president and CEO Diane Yentel was quoted in the press releases from Senator Brown and Representative Waters. “Even before the coronavirus, 11 million renters – including 8 million of America’s lowest-income seniors, people with disabilities, low-wage workers and other individuals – were paying at least half of their limited incomes to keep a roof over their heads, leaving them one financial crisis away from eviction and, in worst cases, homelessness. For many, this pandemic is that financial crisis.”

Learn more about the bill this coming Monday, May 11 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET, when Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representative Denny Heck (D-WA) join us on NLIHC’s weekly national call on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness. We’ll also share new NLIHC research on the need for at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance, discuss the unique needs of marginalized populations, and hear field updates from our partners in New Hampshire, Illinois, and Indiana! Register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan

See NLIHC’s press release on the new legislation here: https://tinyurl.com/yaw3pddx

Additional Updates at: https://tinyurl.com/ybr8b64t

May 6, 2020

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our National Call-In Day on May 4 to urge their legislators to sponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act,” which would provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance.

Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), Representative Denny Heck (D-WA), and more than 115 original cosponsors will introduce the legislation this week. Eight Senators have signed on as original cosponsors of the companion bill that Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) will introduce this week. There’s still time for legislators to weigh in, so please continue to ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill!

More than 140 national organizations signed on to letters from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign urging Congress to include emergency rental assistance in the next coronavirus response package. We are continuing to collect signatures, so if you’re part of a national organization, show your support for this critical legislation by signing onto this letter.

NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, and FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor on May 5, urging Treasury, HUD, and FEMA to issue clear guidance regarding compliance with federal duplication of benefits requirements. This guidance should allow state and local governments to layer funding from different federal programs without violating federal duplication of benefits standards to meet the urgent health and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.

New Resources

Additional Updates at: https://tinyurl.com/yaw5o4e7

May 4, 2020

We have great news to announce! Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Representative Denny Heck (D-WA), and over seventy original cosponsors will soon introduce the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help keep the lowest-income renters stably housed during the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, will introduce companion legislation this week. To learn more about the legislation, see NLIHC’s factsheet on the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act.”

Please contact your senators and representatives TODAY and TOMORROW and urge them join as original cosponsors to the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act” and ensure that it is included in the next coronavirus relief package!

Look up the phone numbers of your members of Congress here or send an email from NLIHC’s Legislative Action Center. Don’t forget to tweet about it using the hashtag #RentReliefNow and tag your member of Congress. If you’re part of a national organization, show your support for this critical legislation by signing onto this letter.

Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Representative David Price (D-NC) spoke about the pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals during the pandemic, Nan Roman of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) spoke about a new framework for COVID-19 homelessness response, Chandra Crawford from NAEH discussed racial inequities, Joseph Geleta of the New Jersey Department of Human Services discussed using FEMA resources, and we heard from Solomon Greene of the Urban Institute on models for state/local assistance, as well as field updates from Arizona, Puerto Rico, and South Dakota. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y9dook6w

May 1, 2020

Join advocates tomorrow, May 21 at 2:30pm ET for a conversation on “Racial Equity during the COVID-19 Pandemic”between Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, one of our country’s foremost historians and leading antiracist voices, and Diane Yentel, NLIHC president and CEO. They will discuss how our housing and homelessness response to COVID-19 must center racial equity and address systemic inequities. Register today at: https://bit.ly/2WxbQWI. When you register, be sure to submit questions for Dr. Kendi!

Please continue to contact your senators and representatives and urge them to cosponsor the “Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act,” especially if your Democratic Senator has not already expressed their support! The bill currently has 144 House cosponsors and 35 Senate cosponsors. Find out if your member of Congress is cosponsoring the bill here. Be sure to use #RentReliefNow in your efforts to raise awareness around the urgent need to include critical housing resources in the next federal relief package.

The Democratic senators who have not sponsored the bill include:

  • Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)
  • Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
  • Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
  • Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
  • Senator Doug Jones (D-AL)
  • Senator Krysten Sinema (D-AZ)
  • Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
  • Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
  • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
  • Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y86ynhfq

April 27, 2020

Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Over 2,000 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

The call featured updates from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria, who spoke about the FHFA’s eviction prevention and mortgage forbearance efforts, former HUD Secretary and former presidential candidate Julian Castro, who spoke on the pivotal moment we find ourselves in and the need to push for greater assistance and solutions to housing and homelessness issues in the United States. Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota, spoke about his office’s efforts to prevent illegal evictions and illegal labor practices, and Karl Racine, Attorney General of the District of Columbia spoke about the need for greater assistance to low income families, including rental assistance. Megan Gibbard, Director of A Way Home America, spoke about the health and humanitarian importance of providing assistance to youth homeless during a pandemic, Christina Rosales of Texas Housers provided an update from the Houston area surrounding their soon-to-expire ban on evictions, Kody Glazer, of the Florida Housing Coalition provided an update on how the organization is encouraging connections between housing and emergency management agencies, and Bambie Hayes-Brown, President and CEO of Georgia ACT, gave an update on their advocacy for low income renters in Georgia. Will Fischer spoke about the efforts to create additional housing vouchers to deal with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The call also included an update on congressional conversations on the fourth coronavirus stimulus package. The Senate is scheduled to return to session next week. As a result we are continuing to ask that all DHRC members and partners contact your representatives and senators TODAY to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, NLIHC, Americans for Financial Reform, and the National Housing Law Project are circulating a sign on letter to FHFA, HUD, VA, and USDA asking them to provide tenants with a mechanism to identify whether their apartment, home, or manufactured housing is covered by the tenant protections in the CARES Act. Although NLIHC’s searchable map and database can help many renters, it is incomplete due to a lack of data. The deadline to sign on is Tuesday, April 28.

Additional updates at: https://tinyurl.com/y897tlro 

April 24, 2020

Please note that NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness every Monday afternoon. The next call is this coming Monday, April 27 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. Participants will include former Presidential Candidate Julian Castro, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine, Director of A Home America Megan Gibbard, as well as updates from Texas, Florida, and Georgia! You can register: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan. You can register for that call here.

The House overwhelmingly passed a $484 billion spending package on April 23. The fourth coronavirus spending package includes funding for small business loans, health care providers, and testing. The bill, however, does not include any resources to address the urgent needs of low-income renters or people experiencing homelessness.

NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel issued a statement on the passing of the bill, saying, “It is unconscionable for Congress to approve a half a trillion-dollar emergency spending bill without providing any funding to get and keep people stably housed during this public health emergency. Ensuring that everyone is stably housed during the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a moral imperative – it is a public health necessity.”

Additional updates: https://mailchi.mp/nlihc.org/dhrc-covid-19-update-1201501?e=ab27b4f987

April 22, 2020

The Senate voted last night to approve the latest coronavirus legislation, and the House is set to vote tomorrow, where it is expected to pass before heading to the president’s desk for his signature. While the bill includes more than $360 billion in small business loans – a resource that may be helpful for some affordable housing providers – it does not include any resources to address the urgent housing and health needs of people experiencing homelessness or low-income renters. It also does not include funds for state and local governments or food assistance – measures Democrats sought to include in the package.

The next two weeks will be critical for advocates working to ensure that housing and homelessness resources are included in the next coronavirus relief package. Even before the ink is dry on the current bill working its way through Congress, House and Senate leaders are already debating about the scope of the next bill and even whether one is needed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is slamming the breaks citing concerns about deficit spending, while Democratic leaders are starting to put together their priorities. Please continue to contact your representatives and senators and urge them to support a broad array of resources and protections, including $11.5 billion to help address the needs of people experiencing homelessness, $100 billion in emergency rental assistance, and a uniform, national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, among other recommendations. For more information, see DHRC’s full list of recommendations.

Additional updates below.

Coronavirus Update, Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Please note that NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness every Monday afternoon. The next call is this coming Monday, April 27 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. You can register for that call here. Former Presidential Candidate Julian Castro will be participating.

National Updates

Congress

Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and 40 of their colleagues wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig urging them to take action to address the barriers that could prevent individuals experiencing homeless from receiving their stimulus checks.

FEMA

FEMA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are collecting and sharing best practices for responding to COVID-19. Read FEMA Coronavirus Emergency Management Best Practices and the HHS Novel Coronavirus Resources page.

Department of Agriculture

USDA announced on April 22 that emergency benefit increases have reached $2.0 billion per month for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These emergency benefits prompted by COVID-19 represent a 40% increase in overall monthly SNAP benefits. Hawaii, the final state agency authorized to provide emergency allotments, was approved on April 17.

Advocacy

The NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition will continue to push for a broad array of resources and protections, including emergency rental assistance and eviction prevention assistance, a national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, and emergency funds for homelessness service providers, housing authorities, and housing providers, among other recommendations. For more information, see DHRC’s full list of recommendations, which will continue to be expanded and refined.

NLIHC launched a searchable database and interactive map to help renters and their allies know if they live in properties covered by the federal moratoriums on evictions included in the CARES Act.

The Eviction Lab and Emily Benfer of Columbia Law School have developed a COVID-19 housing policy scorecard for 50 states and Washington, DC to evaluate each state’s response and identify best practices in housing policy.  The scorecard is a great resource for quickly comparing states’ homelessness prevention policies developed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Reporting

A new Pew Research Center survey found that the economic fallout from COVID-19 is impacting lower-income adults the hardest. In addition to being more likely than higher-income adults to have lost a job or taken a pay cut due to COVID-19, lower-income adults are less prepared to withstand a financial shock. Only 23% of lower income adults reported having emergency funds that would cover their expenses for three months, compared to 48% of middle-income and 75% of upper-income adults.

Housing advocates interviewed by USA Today discussed the need for permanent affordable housing solutions rather than pushing people experiencing homelessness into temporary, makeshift housing. Advocates also expressed frustration at the federal government’s slow response to addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19.

Isabel Solange Munoz, an assistant professor of geography at the University of Tennessee, explored how COVID-19 is exacerbating the nation’s housing crisis and how it will lead to greater inequality. Read the Business Insider article.

State and Local News

A list of local eviction and foreclosure moratoriums is available here from NLIHC.

Arizona

The Phoenix City Council unanimously approved the allocation of nearly $18 million of federal funding to address homelessness and housing insecurity and provide grants for local small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The vote marks the city’s largest Community Development Block Grant investment toward addressing homelessness.

California

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the city will deploy medical street teams and set up trailers to protect people experiencing homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic. Street teams will conduct rapid-result COVID-19 testing, health screenings, and provide access to shelters or other temporary housing. The Los Angeles Fire Department will also open a pop-up testing clinic in Skid Row.

San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed announced on April 22 that the first round of funding from the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund has been allocated. The Give2SF will provide access to housing and food security for San Franciscans, with a focus on supporting undocumented residents, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Chico’s recently appointed Homeless Solutions Coordinator, Joy Amaro, reported that 88 people experiencing homelessness are currently being housed in hotel and motel rooms. According to documents sent to the Chico City Council, Amaro is exploring additional solutions for providing shelter to people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19, including “safe parking zones.”

Hawaii

Doctors in Hawaii have expressed concern that the state is not taking the necessary steps to prevent a potential COVID-19 outbreak in homeless shelters. On Oahu, officials scrapped plans to provide walk-in testing for 4,400 residents experiencing homelessness at Iwilei Center. Instead, the city and state are directing people experiencing homelessness with coronavirus-related concerns to its CARES hotline.

Illinois

Increased COVID-19 testing in Chicago homeless shelters has indicated varying levels of infection. At some shelters, half of staff and residents tested positive for the coronavirus.

A doctor who is working with Chicago’s homeless shelters to contain the spread of COVID-19 warned that outbreaks at the shelters will soon overwhelm the city’s capacity to care for people experiencing homelessness who contract the disease.

Indiana

Seventeen housing providers and advocacy groups, including Prosperity Indiana, an NLIHC state partner, sent a letter to Senator Todd Young (R-IN) urging him to include $100 billion in emergency rental assistance in the next coronavirus response bill.

Kansas

The Coalition to Protect Missouri Tenants organized a demonstration on I-70 to call attention to the pandemic’s impact on the state’s housing and homelessness crisis. The coalition intended to raise awareness of its set of demands for Governor Mark Parson to protect Missouri tenants.

Louisiana

A report issued by HousingNOLA and the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance found that New Orleans fell short of the affordable housing goals it set in 2016. The ongoing shortage of affordable housing in New Orleans is being exacerbated by COVID-19, which is contributing to widespread housing insecurity and unaffordability.

Maine

Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order on April 16 that protects tenants against evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and establishes a rental assistance relief program. Governor Mills, in partnership with MaineHousing, established a $5 million COVID-19 Rent Relief Program that will provide eligible households with a one-time, up to $500 payment in rental assistance.

Maryland

Kevin Lindamood, CEO of Health Care for the Homeless, and Dr. Adrienne Trustman, Chief Medical Officer, argue that our emerging understanding of the asymptomatic spread of COVID-19 in homeless shelters demands an immediate response from state and federal officials.

Advocates disrupted Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young’s COVID-19 media briefing to demand that the city take urgent action  to protect people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Young’s deputy chief of staff, Cheryl Goldstein, reported that Baltimore city has moved about 200 healthy individuals experiencing homelessness over the age of 62 into hotels. Another 100 people experiencing homelessness who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting results are isolated in a separate hotel.

Massachusetts

Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill blocking all eviction and foreclosure proceedings in the state for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.

Nebraska

Governor Ricketts’ signed an executive order on March 25 to protect Nebraska residents facing eviction due to COVID-19.

Nevada

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced that Aaron’s Inc. will donate 500 mattresses to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and families fostering children across the state.

New Jersey

Bridges, a nonprofit organization in New Jersey, is collaborating with the city of Newark to move 150 people experiencing homelessness into separate hotel rooms to self-isolate or receive critical medical attention. Over the past four weeks, Bridges has housed people experiencing homelessness in an old hotel near Newark Airport.

Trenton opened the first of four overflow shelters for people experiencing homelessness on April 21. The city council approved a $500,000 contract with the Trenton Health Team and additional contractors to establish the shelters.

Eva’s Village, a nonprofit social service organization in Paterson, New Jersey, has made adjustments to its facilities to strengthen its capacity to serve clients who are battling homelessness, substance abuse, and the coronavirus.

New York

New York City fell short of its goal of moving 2,500 people experiencing homelessness to hotel rooms by April 20. The Department of Homeless Services has moved approximately 1,050 people experiencing homelessness into hotel rooms since the onset of COVID-19. The agency is aware of 617 positive COVID-19 cases among people in shelters or lacking stable housing, and as of Monday, 43 people had died.

Four people experiencing homelessness in New York who are staying in hotel rooms crowdfunded through the “Homeless Can’t Stay Home” campaign shared their experiences with The City.

Virginia

Richmond will be spending $5.8 million in federal and local funds to address housing instability and homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Levar Stoney announced that he intends to supplement the $4.2 million from the CARES Act with another $1 million from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Washington

A King County press release announced that COVID-19 cases among people experiencing homelessness are rising. Seattle and King County reported 112 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness or working in homeless service sites.

Wisconsin

Shelter providers in Wisconsin are collaborating with local governments to temporarily move into larger facilities to accommodate social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Ice rinks, recreation centers, and hotels have been transformed into temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness.

Guidance

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC issued Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers.

Housing and Urban Development

How Does the Federal Eviction Moratorium Impact the Emergency Solutions Grant and Continuum of Care Program?

COVID-19 Planning and Response for Homeless Assistance Providers Office Hours – April 17: Recording, slides, and chat log posted

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)

“Maximizing Funding for Non-Congregate Shelter Opportunities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: California’s Project Roomkey Webinar – April 23, 2020” Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_26m4Rh4uTBq5STSsbcpoAg

April 20, 2020

Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Over 2,000 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

During the call, NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel announced that the DHRC would be expanding to include multiple working groups dedicated to a specific topic in COVID-19 response. The new groups include:

  • “Tenant Talk Live” for Resident Leaders – Monday, April 27 at 6:00 pm EST. Register here: https://bit.ly/3enSj1T 
  • Legislative Working Group – Tuesdays at 12:30 pm EST. Register here: https://bit.ly/3euCRkX
  • Working with FEMA Working Group – Tuesdays at 3:00 pm EST. The first call is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21. Register here: https://bit.ly/34Efwsa
  • State and Local Implementation Working Group – Wednesdays at 3:00 pm EST. The first call is scheduled for April 22. Register here: https://bit.ly/2RDzAWk
  • Puerto Rico Working Group – Every other Thursday at 3:00 pm EST. This working group has been meeting since Hurricanes Irma and Maria and have continued through the recent earthquakes and now the pandemic. Any DHRC member working on the island or on behalf of Puerto Ricans is invited to join. Register here: https://bit.ly/2XD8HG4
  • Long-Term Solutions Working Group – Fridays at 3:00 pm EST. The first call is scheduled for Friday, May 8. Register here: https://bit.ly/34CkCFm

The call also featured updates from Matthew Desmond, award winning author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City and Principal Investigator at Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, who gave an update on Eviction Lab’s COVID-19 Housing Policy Scorecard. Elayne Weiss, Senior Counsel of the House Financial Services Committee, spoke about Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters’ (D-CA) push for additional funding and protections for renters in the next Coronavirus stimulus package. Hunter Kurtz, Assistance Secretary, Office of Public and Indian Housing at HUD, gave an overview of how HUD is working to get funding out to PHA’s and tribal housing entities as quickly as possible. John Gibbs, Acting Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development at HUD, gave an update on the ESG and CDBG program and how the agency is working to allocate that funding. Denise Neunaber, Executive Director of the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness, broke down how nonprofits worked with FEMA and the North Carolina state government to move individuals experiencing homelessness into noncongregant sheltering. Brian Wilson, Executive Director of the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness spoke to efforts in Alaska to find sheltering locations for individuals experiencing homelessness before the pandemic reaches the state in force. Andreanecia Morris, Executive Director of Housing NOLA, gave an overview of how COVID-19 is impacting the greater New Orleans area. Staci Berger, President and CEO of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, reviewed the nonprofit and government response to the COVID-19 pandemic in that state.

The call also included an update on congressional conversations on the fourth coronavirus stimulus package. Congressional leaders and the White House are close to reaching a deal on a smaller package to address the needs of small businesses, hospitals, and state/local governments. The smaller package would include additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program – which ran out of funding quickly after enactment. A factsheet on the program and nonprofit housing provider eligibility can be found here. An update list of NLIHC’s Congressional recommendations can be found here.

At this time, the deal DOES NOT include funding for housing or homeless assistance programs, nor additional food assistance. As a result, we are continuing to ask that all DHRC members and partners contact your representatives and senators TODAY to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic. Because of your advocacy, Congress provided $12 billion for housing and homelessness in the last coronavirus package, but far more resources are needed. Act now!

April 17, 2020

NLIHC launched today a searchable database and map to help renters and their allies know if they live in properties covered by the federal moratoriums on evictions included in the CARES Act.

We heard from many renters and their allies that it was difficult for renters to know whether they were protected, and that some landlords are continuing to evict despite the moratoriums. In response, NLIHC created the new tool and map, which include data on affordable rental housing supported by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HUD, and USDA programs, and/or multifamily housing with mortgages insured by FHA or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. While the database is not yet exhaustive of all covered properties, NLIHC will continue to update it as new data become available.

As a reminder, our next weekly national call on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness is this coming Monday, April 20 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) will now be joining us, as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matt Desmond, HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Hunter Kurtz, Acting Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development John Gibbs, and field updates from New Jersey, Alaska and Louisiana, and more! You can register here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

April 15, 2020

Our next weekly national call on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness is this coming Monday, April 20 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. Speakers will include Pulitzer Prize winning author Matt Desmond, who will give an update on tracking local eviction moratoria. The call will also feature HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Hunter Kurtz and Acting Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development John Gibbs, as well field updates from New Jersey, Alaska and Louisiana, and more! You can register here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

NLIHC, Mayors & CEOs for U.S. Housing Investments, National League of Cities, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness published today new guidance to elected officials on how they can use the billions of dollars in flexible funds provided in the CARES Act to address housing instability and homelessness – which are two of the most significant obstacles to flattening the curve and ending the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance provides recommended steps elected officials can make to address racial inequity and serve marginalized populations, provide emergency rental assistance, and address the needs of people experiencing homeless – with examples from city and state officials across the nation. You can access that document here: https://bit.ly/3eqVjuA

April 14, 2020

Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Over 2,000 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

The call featured updates from Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, who spoke about the ongoing push for additional rental assistance as Congress debates a fourth coronavirus stimulus package. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL) spoke about the need for rental assistance to be part of a congressional aid package. Cathy Alderman of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless spoke about the challenges facing homeless service providers in Colorado, and Bill Faith of Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio spoke about their efforts to transfer shelter residents to non-congregate sheltering. Richard Cho of Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness spoke about the their successes in decongesting the state shelter system in partnership with the state government and FEMA, and Greg Payne spoke about CDBG funding made available by the CARES Act. Hank Hughes of New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness spoke about efforts to reach out to individuals living on the street and ensuring shelters remain open. Jackie Vimo spoke about the challenges immigrants are facing access healthcare and housing resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NLIHC also provided updates on the update version of congressional and regulatory recommendations as well as a new toolkit on FEMA programs – which includes information on Public Assistance eligibility, FEMA’s current role during COVID-19, lessons from interacting with the agency, and more. This “Working with FEMA” toolkit is the latest in an array of resources offered to the affordable housing community by NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC).

We are continuing to ask that all DHRC members and partners contact your representatives and senators TODAY to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic. Because of your advocacy, Congress provided $12 billion for housing and homelessness in the last coronavirus package, but far more resources are needed. Act now!

NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness on Monday afternoons. The next call is this coming Monday, April 20 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. You can register for that call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

April 10, 2020

NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness on Monday afternoons. The next call is this coming Monday, April 13 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. The call will include Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Richard Cho from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, Greg Payne from the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, Jackie Vimo of the National Immigration Law Center, Bill Faith from the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, Hank Hughes of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, Cathy Alderman of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, and Willie “J.R.” Fleming of the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign. You can register for that call and view a full agenda here.

We are continuing to ask that all DHRC members and partners contact your representatives and senators TODAY to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic. Because of your advocacy, Congress provided $12 billion for housing and homelessness in the last coronavirus package, but far more resources are needed. Act now!

April 9, 2020

As you know, people experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and are far more likely to need hospitalization and to die as a result of the illness. As the economy continues to be impacted, we must ensure that America’s lowest-income renters remain stably housed during this crisis. The CARES Act provided some needed funding, but much more is urgently needed.

Despite the clear, Congressional leadership just unveiled proposals for the next coronavirus package which does not include any funding to address the immediate and urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness and low-income renters.

We are asking all DHRC members and partners to contact your representatives and senators TODAY to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic. Because of your advocacy, Congress provided $12 billion for housing and homelessness in the last coronavirus package, but far more resources are needed. Act now!

NLIHC and its Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition of more than 850 organizations are advocating for $11.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness; $100 billion for emergency rental assistance; and a national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, among other priorities. For more information on what resources are needed, see these policy recommendations and our webpage with up-to-date information.

NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness on Monday afternoons. The next call is this coming Monday, April 13 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. You can register for that call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

April 6, 2020

Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Over 2,000 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

The call featured updates from Congressman Denny Heck (D-WA) about the Emergency Rental Assistance Act of 2020, a bill he introduced that would provide short-term rental assistance through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program. Tony Walters, the Executive Director at the National American Indian Housing Council, talked about the importance of including tribal housing programs in assistance programs. Roxy Caines from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities gave an overview of the expansion to Unemployment Insurance and the new Economic Impact Payments authorized by the CARES Act. Mike Wallace from the National League of Cities gave a review of CDBG funding in the CARES Act, as well as how to use the funding as rental assistance. Marc Dones, Executive Director of National Innovation Services spoke about NIS’s framework for equitable systems transformation for COVID-19. Amina Kirk from the Detroit People’s Platform talked about the efforts underway in Michigan to extend renter protections. Lisa Hershey, Executive Director of Housing California gave a description of California’s “Project Roomkey,” which is placing individuals experiencing homelessness that are at high risk or showing symptoms of COVID-19 into hotel rooms. Joshua Goldfein of the Legal Aid Society of New York spoke about renter protections in one of the hardest-hit areas of the country. Nancy-Ann Bodell, Director of Multifamily Housing at USDA Rural Development spoke about efforts being made to assist renters and owners of government-assisted rural housing during the pandemic – all of which are described in USDA’s coronavirus website.

NLIHC also provided updates on the update version of congressional and regulatory recommendations as well as a new fact sheet on Small Business Administration (SBA) loans that can be used by Nonprofit Affordable Housing Providers as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness on Monday afternoons. The next call is this coming Monday, April 13 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. You can register for that call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.

April 3, 2020

After the successful passage of the CARES Act – which included $12 billion in housing and homelessness resources to help prevent an outbreak of the virus among people experiencing homelessness, as well as needed resources for America’s lowest-income renters – NLIHC has updated its recommendations for coronavirus response.

These new recommendations include at least $11.5 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants, a national uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, nearly $100 billion in emergency rental assistance, as well as additional protections and services for the country’s low-income renters and homeless individuals. For more information, see DHRC’s updated list of recommendations, which will continue to be expanded and refined. NLIHC has also compiled a list of regulatory recommendations for HUD and the Department of Agriculture actions that could increase the effectiveness of the funding approved by Congress.

NLIHC has also released a guide to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for nonprofit affordable housing providers. The CARES Act authorized the creation of two financing programs through the SBA: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Emergency Economic Injury Grant (EEIG) program, also known as the Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan Program. These new programs, combined with the existing Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, may be useful for nonprofit affordable housing providers in need of additional funding to cover certain expenses during the COVID-19 crisis.

NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness every Monday afternoon. The next call is this coming Monday, April 6 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET and will feature guest speaker Representative Denny Heck (D-WA). You can register for that call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.You can view a recording of last Monday’s call here: https://youtu.be/BP4gVcPN2Gw

April 2, 2020

As Congress begins to jockey for positions around a potential fourth coronavirus stimulus package, the nationwide death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rise. More and more shelter providers are reporting positive COVID-19 tests among their clients as many shelters are faced with closure due to lack of funds.

“I think this crisis really lays bare how as a country, we have for decades consistently and purposefully failed to end homelessness,” said Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition in an interview published by VOX. “And now here we are. We’re scrambling to prevent or contain outbreaks of coronavirus among people who are homeless and among other highly vulnerable and marginalized communities: tribal communities, people with disabilities, seniors, low-income immigrants. I think the crisis just really makes clear that we have failed for a long time to protect the most vulnerable and the most marginalized members of our communities. And it’s also making clear the implications of that failure, not only for the marginalized communities themselves but for everybody in the country.”

NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness every Monday afternoon. The next call is this coming Monday, April 6 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET and will feature guest speaker Representative Denny Heck (D-WA). You can register for that call here: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan.You can view a recording of Monday’s call here: https://youtu.be/BP4gVcPN2Gw

March 30, 2020

With the passage of the third coronavirus stimulus package on Friday, advocates are now beginning to push federal agencies to release funding as soon as possible. For more details on what’s in the bill for housing and homelessness, see NLIHC’s full analysis and chart. An analysis of the eviction moratorium found in the bill is available here from the National Housing Law Project.

In addition, FEMA has been approving numerous Major Disaster Declarations for COVID-19, with 25 states currently under a Major Disaster Declaration. Those states are: New York, Washing, California, Iowa, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Guam, Michigan, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, Connecticut, Georgia, DC, Kansas, and Alabama. A list of disaster declarations is available from FEMA here.

As the response to COVID-19 takes shape throughout the country, advocacy organizations are mobilizing to ensure the response includes the housing unstable. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty’s Housing Not Handcuffs Campaign released a letter template for organizations to send their elected officials calling for a moratorium on the clearing of homeless encampments during the pandemic. In addition, the National Alliance to End Homelessness will be holding a webinar series covering a wide variety of topics related to COVID-19 and homelessness. The first – covering federal funding opportunities – will be happening this coming Wednesday at 3:00pmET. The second – covering national protocol on shelter operations during the pandemic – will be happening this Thursday at 3:30pmET. Additional webinars are planned, covering street outreach on April 7 and FEMA’s COVID-19 efforts on April 9.

Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Over 2,300 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

The call featured policy updates from the NLIHC and Congressional leadership as well as field updates from around the country. House Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) spoke about her efforts to include robust housing assistance in the latest coronavirus stimulus package. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) spoke about efforts to increase funding levels for Emergency Service Grants to homeless service providers. Keith Turi, Assistant Administrator of the Recovery Directorate at FEMA, spoke about the agency’s response to COVID-19 as well as the available funding for homelessness and housing services through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. Adi Martinez of FURIA talked about the conditions in Puerto Rico – where many individuals are facing the pandemic still left unassisted after deadly earthquakes earlier this year. Maxwell Ciardullo of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spoke about the latest efforts to assist the homeless community in New Orleans. Shalonda Rivers of the 22nd Avenue Cordoba Tenants Association in Miami talked about the conditions she’s seeing in Miami-Dade County low income housing. Maria Foscarinis of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty spoke about the CDC guidance urging against the clearing of homeless encampments. Steve Berg of the National Alliance to End Homelessness spoke about the latest national efforts to house individuals experiencing homelessness during the crisis and their upcoming webinar series. Shamus Roller of the National Housing Law Project analyzed the eviction moratoriums found in the latest coronavirus package.

March 27, 2020

Thanks to your fervent and continuing advocacy, the $3 trillion dollar coronavirus stimulus package has been signed by President Trump, approving more than $12 billion for housing and homelessness assistance. For more details on what’s in the bill for housing and homelessness, see NLIHC’s full analysis and chart.

“Providing resources to protect against or contain an outbreak of coronavirus among people who are homeless and to keep the lowest-income people housed during this pandemic is not only a moral imperative; it’s an urgent public health necessity. Our collective health depends on every one of us being safely and affordably housed” said NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel in a statement on the enactment. “Now that the bill has been signed into law, we will work with HUD to ensure that these funds are allocated as quickly and effectively as possible to the people and communities most in need.”

Additionally, NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness every Monday afternoon. The next call is this coming Monday, March 30 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. The call will feature field updates from: Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; Keith Turi, Assistant Administrator of the Recovery Directorate, FEMA; Adi Martinez of FURIA; Maxwell Ciardullo of the Fair Housing Action Center; Sholanda Rivers of the 22nd Avenue Cordoba Tenants Association; Maria Foscarinis of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty; Tony Walters of the National American Indian Housing Council; Steve Berg of the National Alliance to End Homelessness; and Shamus Roller of the National Housing Law Project. You can register for the national call here: https://tinyurl.com/t3oftj7

March 25, 2020

After many long days of advocacy and negotiations, congressional leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on a $2 trillion direct spending bill to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The Senate is voting on the bill tonight and will send it to the House for approval and then to the president’s desk for his signature as soon as possible.

Thank you for your tremendous advocacy! It worked!

Overall, the bill provides more than $12 billion in funding for HUD programs, including: $4 billion for Emergency Solutions Grants for homelessness assistance, $5 billion in Community Development Block Grants, $1.25 billion for the Housing Choice Voucher program, $1 billion for project-based rental assistance, $685 million for public housing, $300 million for tribal nations, and more. The bill also institutes a much-needed temporary moratorium on evictions and foreclosures for homeowners and renters in federally subsidized apartments and homes with federally backed mortgages. For more details on what’s in the bill for housing and homelessness, see NLIHC’s full analysis and chart.

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated and effective advocacy of our members and partners across the country, and without the steadfast determination of congressional leaders like Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Banking Committee Chair Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Brown (D-OH), Senate Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Reed (D-RI), House Financial Services Committee Chair Waters (D-CA) and Ranking Member McHenry (R-NC), and House THUD Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Price (D-NC) and Ranking Member Diaz-Balart (R-FL).

We have a lot more work ahead of us as this crisis unfolds. NLIHC and our Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition of over 850 organizations will urge HUD to get these new resources to communities in need as quickly and effectively as possible, and we will continue to push for additional resources and policies needed to keep people experiencing homelessness safe and healthy and to ensure that low-income renters are stably housed. A full list of DHRC policy recommendations is available at: https://nlihc.org/responding-coronavirus

NLIHC will be hosting weekly national calls on COVID-19 and housing/homelessness every Monday afternoon. The next call is this coming Monday, March 30 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm ET. You can register for the call here: https://tinyurl.com/t3oftj7

March 23, 2020

Many thanks to all who joined this afternoon’s National Call on Coronavirus and Homelessness/Housing. Over 2,000 organizers, advocates, reporters, and legislative staff attended to learn about the most pressing needs for homeless and housing-insecure individuals. You can find a recording of the call as well as the presentation slides and up-to-date news and resources on NLIHC’s website at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness.

The call featured updates from Brian Montgomery, Assistant Secretary of HUD, who spoke on HUD efforts to encourage foreclosure moratoriums and alternative housing solutions around the country. Maria Fernandez, Senior Associate Director at FHFA explained the agency’s decision to make mortgage forbearance for property owners contingent upon an agreement to not evict tenants. Doug Guthrie at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles told listeners about their effort to ensure that emergency beds are in place for unhoused individuals to socially isolate while Richard Cho at the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness talked about their partnership with state and local authorities to spread out shelter populations. Douglas Schenkelberg at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless focused on the city’s effort to procure hotel rooms for quarantine while Dana Totman of Avesta Housing spoke to the lack of desperately needed sanitation supplies. Eric Samuels at Texas Homeless Network cited the challenges in finding volunteers and Michele Stowe at Mercy Housing explained their extreme staffing needs. Anne Mavity at Minnesota Housing Partnership focused on the challenges brought by a lack of rural broadband internet while Sharon Vogel of the United Native American Housing Association and Cheyenne River Housing Authority talked about the strain on public services for tribal nations. Megan Blondin at Youth Collaboratory shared her perspective on the needs of youth homeless service providers while Debbie Fox at the National Network to End Domestic Violence raised concerns about the increase in domestic violence being seen around the country.

The Senate reached a critical point today as Democrats voted down two attempts to bring a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue package to the floor. Democrats have largely rejected the Republican proposal and call for more robust measures to assist low-income individuals affected by the pandemic. As negotiations continue in both chambers it is critical that advocates continue to call their Representatives and Senators and urge them to include resources in the Coronavirus stimulus package to address the housing and health needs of people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk of an outbreak.

Additional updates available at: https://nlihc.org/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness 

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NLIHC

The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated to achieving racially and socially equitable public policy that ensures people with the lowest incomes have quality homes that are accessible and affordable in communities of their choice. Founded in 1974 by Cushing N. Dolbeare, NLIHC educates, organizes and advocates to ensure decent, affordable housing within healthy neighborhoods for everyone.

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