From
Maria's Desk
So far, November
has been full of important developments for the Law Center and the
homeless and poor Americans for whom we advocate.
We expect the
results of midterm elections
earlier this month will have an impact on our advocacy. Much of
the campaign rhetoric focused on cutting government spending, and
in many cases that message seemed to carry the day. That means
we'll have to work harder than ever to advocate for badly needed
additional funding for housing and services for homeless people.
But the Law Center is a non-partisan organization, and we've always
worked hard to find allies, in both parties, to support our
advocacy. For a longer take on the impact, see my recent blog posting.
Later in the month,
we advocated for the human right to housing during the U.N.'s
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in Geneva, where the U.S.
was being reviewed, for the first time, for compliance with global
human rights standards. We led a coalition of over 60 national and
local groups that signed on to a report on housing and
homelessness in the U.S., submitted as an official document in
the UPR process, and presented testimony at the review
itself. While we were disappointed in the official U.S. report
submitted to the U.N. at the start of the process, we were
heartened by the end of it. Following strong advocacy by the Law
Center and others, the Department of Housing and Urban Development
issued a statement indicating that it had heard our concerns: "The
Universal Periodic Review process helps to inform and influence our
nation's effort to dramatically increase the amount of affordable
housing, especially for those struggling to find a place to call
home." (Click here to read more.)
Whether this sentiment will translate into policy and funds will
depend on our ability to advocate vigorously.
That advocacy is
critically needed now, as homelessness continues to increase
dramatically and more and more Americans are at risk. A recent poll
indicated that 53% of Americans are fearful that
they will not be able to make their housing payment. As need
and awareness grow, it is essential that we advocate vigorously and
clearly to demand housing for all.
I hope you'll join
us by supporting our
work in whatever way you can.
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Support
Funding for National Housing Trust Fund
For more than a decade, the Law Center has been part of a national
coalition supporting the creation of a National Housing Trust Fund to build new units
of affordable housing in every state and territory. Legislation
creating the Fund passed last year, but Congress still has not
provided funding. In the remaining weeks of the current Congress,
we have a chance to get that funding - $1 billion for construction
of new housing, along with $65 million in Section 8 housing
subsidies to ensure that rent in these units is affordable for the
lowest income families, including families moving directly from
homelessness.
We need your help to make this happen. Please call or email your
senators TODAY to tell them to support the Job Creation and Tax
Cuts Act of 2010 (S. 3793, a.k.a. the Baucus tax extenders bill).
The House is prepared to pass the bill if the Senate acts first.
And if this broader business tax legislation is passed, the Trust
Fund will receive the critical funding needed to let community
organizers from across the country start building new affordable
housing. Note that this tax bill is not the more controversial
legislation regarding extension of the 2001 tax cuts on personal
income.
We suggest the following talking points:
- Congress passed the National Housing Trust Fund bill in
May of 2009, but it has yet to provide funding.
- Providing this funding would help community efforts to end
homelessness.
- It would also create jobs in the construction industry, helping
to boost economic recovery.
Senate offices can be reached via the Capitol Switchboard at
1-800-460-0813. You can also find contact information for your
Senator at www.senate.gov. |
Housing
and the UN Human Rights Review
On Friday, November 5, the United States underwent its first-ever
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the United Nations Human
Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The UPR was a
rigorous examination of U.S. human rights policy, and demonstrated
that the U.S. has a long way to go to fulfill its human rights
obligations.
The Law Center and other advocates fought to ensure that the right
to housing was a key focus of the review. The Law Center
coordinated a coalition of local and national housing
organizations, which submitted testimony on America's affordable
housing crisis and offered concrete recommendations for ending
it.
But despite being faced with ample proof that its housing policies
are inconsistent with international human rights standards, the
U.S. delegation argued that economic and social rights are not
enforceable in our legal system. Still, while the
delegation evaded some crucial questions, its participation in the
process is a step in the right direction, and the Law Center and
its partners will hold the government accountable to the Human
Rights Council's recommendations in the months and years to
come.
To read more about the Universal Periodic Review:
1. Read the press release.
2. Read the daily blog entries.
3. View press coverage and learn
more about the process on the Wiki.
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HUD's
New Rule on Domestic Violence Protections
Almost two years
after the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and its
advocacy partners filed comments in response to HUD's
interim rule on housing protections in the Violence Against Women Act, the
agency has issued a final rule that incorporates many of our
recommendations.
The new rule was issued on October 27
as part of the White House's observation of Domestic Violence
Awareness month.
The rule clarifies
such matters as how to document the existence of domestic violence,
how to address conflicting certifications of abuse, and how and
when to determine whether accommodating a victim would present an
"actual and imminent" threat to other tenants. It also obligates
public housing agencies to waive limitations on voucher portability
in cases of domestic violence, to ensure that victims retain
housing assistance in the event of family break-up, and to amend
leases to reflect these regulatory developments.
For additional
information, see the text of the new rule and our
summary of its provisions.
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HUD
Releases Guidance for $1 Billion in NSP Grants
On October 19, HUD
published the official "Notice of Formula Allocations and Program
Requirements" for the third round of the Neighborhood Stabilization
Program. The Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Bill of
2010 authorized an additional $1 billion in grants for NSP,
which was established in 2008 to stabilize communities that have
suffered from foreclosures and abandonment in the wake of the
housing downturn. These funds are primarily used to
purchase foreclosed homes at a discount, and then redevelop
them in order to arrest the problems associated with vacancy and
declines in housing value.
All fifty states
and dozens of local governments received NSP-3 grants ranging from
just over $1 million to nearly $22 million in the case of the City
of Detroit. As with prior rounds of NSP, 25% of this
money must be used to house low-income people.
However, the recent HUD notice outlines more specific opportunities
for homeless and low-income individuals and their
advocates. Perhaps most significantly, Dodd-Frank
outlined a statutory preference for the development of affordable
rental housing. While NSP-1 & 2 focused primarily
on single family home ownership, NSP-3 acknowledges the dire
shortage of affordable rental housing throughout the
country. Many families at risk of homelessness are
not in a position to purchase a home, and will benefit greatly from
enhanced rental options.
In addition, the
financial reform bill requires NSP-3 grantees to hire local
residents or engage local small businesses whenever possible to
perform the rehabilitation, development, and resale work associated
with the grant-funded projects. By creating jobs,
particularly for construction workers and contractors, NSP-3 will
help to revive industries hit particularly hard by the economic
crisis.
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Costume
Party Benefits the Law Center
Thank you to
Tom Mullins and Christie Wasler for hosting their 11th annual
United Nations Day costume party to benefit the Law Center! Tom is
a legislative expert at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP who does pro
bono work with us.
On October
16, 2010, Tom and Christie hosted family and friends -- dressed as
a representative of their favorite country, ethnic heritage, or
current political state - and encouraged them to think globally,
but act locally. In the global spirit of the party, international
cuisine, spirits, and fun were enjoyed by all. Acting locally,
proceeds totaling over $1,300 benefited the Law Center. Thank you
to all who attended and supported our work. Click here to see
photos of the event.
As we enter
winter and the holidays, please remember individuals and families
experiencing homelessness that may not have a warm place to stay or
hot food to enjoy. Consider hosting your holiday party to benefit
the Law Center to help continue our work to end homelessness and
protect the rights of people experiencing it. Alternatively,
consider making a donation to the Law Center in lieu of holiday
gifts, or the next time you stop in a coffee/tea shop for a hot
drink, consider donating the amount you would spend each month on
coffee/tea to the Law Center.
If you would
be interested in hosting a party or luncheon to benefit the Law
Center, please contact Whitney Gent at wgent@nlchp.org.
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Pro
Bono Corner: Goodwin Procter LLP
Pro bono
partners are key to the Law Center's success. In fact, the total
pro bono hours donated by attorneys to the Law Center in 2009
exceeded 4,800 hours, at a value of over $2 million! As a way to
say thank you, beginning this month, the Law Center will recognize
one pro bono activity and/or pro bono partner in each issue of
In Just Times. Our first spotlight is on Jean-Jacques Dupr�
and Goodwin Proctor
LLP's work on behalf of Heart-N-Hand Ministries, Inc.
in Belton, Missouri.
Since January
2009, Goodwin Proctor LLP and Mr. Dupr� have assisted Heart-N-Hand
Ministries as they navigate the base realignment and closure (BRAC)
process to obtain office and organizational space to assist people
experiencing homelessness in Missouri. Heart-N-Hand contacted the
Law Center in search of assistance on how to proceed in the BRAC
process. Almost two years later, Heart-N-Hand Ministries is close
to signing an agreement with the Port Authority of Kansas City and
will be taking over a 6,000 sq ft warehouse with
offices.
As described
by Executive Director Rick Dawson, Heart-N-Hand ministries
reports:
[Mr.
Dupr�] has treated
our case with extreme professionalism. His willingness to treat our
case as if we were compensating him is incredible... He has
communicated, executed and created our case with the utmost
integrity. Thank you, National Law Center and THANK YOU, Jay. We
could not have done this without either of you.
This
warehouse will be a true asset in our ability to serve our poor and
homeless in our area better. With the increase in job loss and
economy in a crisis the need is overwhelming.
Thank you to
Goodwin Proctor LLP and to Mr. Dupr� for your commitment to pro
bono service and to enriching the lives of individuals confronting
homelessness in Belton, Missouri.
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Combined
Federal Campaign
The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty is pleased to
announce its participation in this year's combined federal campaign
(CFC). CFC is the nation's largest workplace giving campaign. It
makes charitable giving easy for federal employees and raises
millions of dollars each year.
As you make your CFC giving decisions this year, please consider
designating the Law Center. You can find us under "Homelessness and
Poverty, National Law Center on" and our CFC code is
11947. |
Get
Connected
There are many ways to stay involved in our ongoing work to
end homelessness in the United States.
We invite you to connect with us in these social media spaces, and
to share these stories and information with your friends.
Especially during November and December, when people have a
heightened awareness of social causes, please help us make
homelessness a priority.
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