State and Federal Housing Action Alerts
Federal Alert
Issue -Protecting Renters from Eviction
Urge your representative to sign-on as a co-sponsor to the following two bills to help protect tenants, who have been left out of recently-passed foreclosure bills.
H.R. 5894 Emergency Housing Assistance Act of 2008 will provide housing-related assistance needed to prevent homelessness in connection with foreclosure by making available limited funding from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Low-income tenants lack the funding for moving, utility deposits and rental deposits.
H.R. 5963 Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2008 will provide notice and right to remain for all tenants in all foreclosed properties, and require that Section 8 contracts survive foreclosure, allowing tenants to remain throughout the lease period with continued housing assistance payments.
Background - Thirty-eight percent of all foreclosures, as of April, 2008, are on rental properties. The Foreclosure Prevention Act assists homeowners and home-buyers, but the plight of tenants has not been addressed.
Catholic Social Teaching asks that we put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. These two pieces of legislation address the needs of low income tenants that have been affected by the foreclosure crisis.
Action needed: Contact your Representative and ask that they become a co-sponsor of:
- H.R. 5894 the Emergency Housing Assistance Act of 2008
- H.R. 5963 Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2008
Alert based on information from alert from Network, a Catholic Social Justice Lobby.
State Alert
Issue: Advocates are seeking the inclusion of an annual $100 million line item in the capital budget to support the construction and preservation of affordable housing statewide.
Problem: Illinois has a critical shortage of affordable housing. More than 1.3 million households in Illinois pay more than 35% of their income for housing, leaving too little for other basic necessities.
Illinois under invests in affordable housing. Many states spend substantially more. California spends three times more per capita. New York spends four times more per capita. Florida spends seven times more per capita. Massachusetts spends ten times more per capita.
Solution: Include affordable housing funding in the capital budget. Affordable housing belongs in the capital budget for many reasons. Affordable housing is a long-term asset that serves a public purpose. Like roads, bridges and schools, affordable housing is also part of the basic infrastructure on which business and communities depend. Finally, housing construction and rehabilitation creates good high-wage jobs around the state.
Catholic Social Teaching asks that we make the needs of the poor a priority and the need for housing is a basic need for all.
Action Needed: Contact your state legislators and ask that they s upport inclusion of an annual $100 million line item in the capital budget for the construction and preservation of affordable housing statewide.
Alert based on information in alert sent by HousingMatters.net.
