BOOST FUNDING FOR AIDS HOUSING AND OTHER FEDERAL HOUSING INITIATIVES

CALL CONGRESS TO HELP HUD HOUSING TENANTS Call DC toll-free at 877-322-5742 to boost FY07 funding levels Both houses of Congress are aiming to pass a “Joint Funding Resolution” by February 15 to set funding levels federal housing programs at the Department of Housing & Urban Development. As we’ve recently reported (LINK TO ‘BILLION DOLLAR FIGHT’ JAN 4 07), Democratic leaders on the Hill are basing this year’s budget on last year’s funding levels. That’s a big problem for HUD programs: thousands could lose their homes if funding is flat. • Without a $487 million increase for FY07 and language linking Public Housing Authority (PHA) voucher costs to recent leasing and cost data, 70,000 vouchers will be cut at local agencies. • Contracts on at least 107,000 Section 8 project-based units will not be able to be renewed in FY07 if Congress does not increase the project-based Section 8 budget by $636 million. • 3500 people with AIDS will miss out on HOPWA subsidies they need to stay out of homeless shelters. • Public housing operating subsidies will hit a historic low at only a quarter of what’s really needed, according to HUD. Public housing programs have lost more than $1 billion in funding since the Bush administration took office in 2001. Take action toll-free at 877-322-5742 Call the DC offices of your Representative and Senators toll-free at 877-322-5742 this week -- ask to speak to the staff person who deals with housing issues and tell them: I am calling to ask (name of Representative or Senator) to boost funding for HUD housing in the FY07 Joint Funding Resolution. Thousands of people – including people living with AIDS – will lose their homes if funding is flat. Housing Works is joining with the National AIDS Housing Coalition and the National Low-Income Housing Coalition in this action. For more information contact Linda Couch at Linda@nlihc.org or Elisa Ortiz at 202.662.1530 x222. You can report the results of your calls to outreach@nlihc.org – and you can find your Member of Congress at www.nlihc.org by entering your zip code in the “Contact Congress” box.