Target: Chair of the House Budget Committee John Yarmuth
Goal: Renew grants that keep vulnerable people in housing and off the streets.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a severe risk to the lives of homeless Americans, many of whom are disabled. Because of this, grants were given to organizations like the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to place people living in perilous conditions at congregated shelters, vehicles, and on the streets in temporary housing. Unfortunately, as the fiscal year of 2022 ends on September 30th, so does the funding. This means that people depending on grants provided by legislation like the CARES act are being pushed out on to the street with nowhere to go.
The only real long-term solution to homelessness is to provide people with stable housing where they can receive the care they need and get their lives back on track. Homelessness is out of control in cities across the country, and our communities cannot handle it getting any worse. At the very least, we need to provide our most vulnerable individuals and families with immediate relief and renew funding for programs that keep them housed. Sign this petition to demand Congress pass legislation that protects people’s right to housing and funds programs throughout the country that provide people with the homes they need to stay safe and achieve stability.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Congressman John Yarmuth,
Thank you for your leadership in passing the American Rescue Plan. Thanks to you, millions of Americans were kept afloat during the pandemic, and tens of thousands were kept off the streets. Housing vouchers, rental assistance, supportive services, and other programs to prevent homelessness have been a godsend and saved countless lives from being snuffed out in the alleyways of the wealthiest country in the world.
Unfortunately, as the fiscal year draws to an end, the funding for these programs is set to dry up. This means that thousands of Americans once again will be put in a situation where they have nowhere to go. In Denver, 153 people with disabilities and other vulnerabilities that left them at risk of death to COVID are already being kicked out of the Quality Inn as the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless anticipates emergency funds expiring.
We are already experiencing a crisis in homelessness in cities across the country. Our communities cannot handle a sharp exacerbation of these intolerable conditions. Legislation needs to be passed that at least renews the funding already being provided to these most vulnerable people in need. We need your leadership to maintain and expand housing-first programs that support our neighbors in need.
816 Signatures