Emergency Food and Shelter Action Alert

Kathy Kregor – Housing Representative – Legislative Advocacy Network

Information from HousingMatters.net

 

Problem: Additional funding is needed for the Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Program

 

Service providers are seeking $11.5 million in funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Program to restore cuts in prior years and to better provide the case management and other services that they are mandated to provide. Funding in fiscal year 2007 is $8.8 million. The increase for fiscal year 2008 would restore funding to the fiscal year 2003 level of $9.7 million in inflation-adjusted dollars and add a one-year five percent cost of doing business increase.

 

Catholic Social Teaching : We are challenged to give a preferential option to the poor and to judge our society its most vulnerable members. Funding for programs that provide emergency food and shelter is directed toward some of our society’s most vulnerable members.

 

Background:

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a cost-effective opportunity to assist some of our most vulnerable residents. The City of Chicago and the 88 private agencies currently funded in the rest of the state would better be able assist people to move back into permanent housing after eight years of budget cuts.

The services provided through the program help people move from homelessness to housing. These services include:

• Overnight Shelters and voucher programs provide people in crisis a place to stay.
• Transitional Shelters provide up to 24 months of housing while families and individuals prepare to move back into permanent housing.
• Supportive Services, such as transportation assistance, case management and counseling, are provided to all participants to help them achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

In fiscal year 2005, 13,590, or 35%, of individuals served were under the age of 21. That year state-funded programs made almost 12,000 shelter refusals due to lack of space (not including the City of Chicago, which does not track refusals). Based on 38,636 individuals served in fiscal year 2005, the fiscal year 2007 funding level of $8.8 million represents spending of only $228 per person served.

 

Action Needed:

Call and ask Governor Blagojevich to include $11.5 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program in the fiscal year 2008 budget. Call at 217-782-0244, 312-814-2121, or 888-261-3336. Or send a letter online.

Deadline for responding: Please take action by November 8, 2006

 

Sample Letter ( letter is available online at Housingmatters.net under act now. (Sign in on site required))

 

Support Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funding

Dear Governor Blagojevich,

I am writing to ask you to include $11.5 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Program in the fiscal year 2008 budget to restore cuts to local agencies serving people who are homeless. Funding in fiscal year 2007 is $8.8 million for transitional housing, overnight and emergency shelter and voucher programs.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Program fills a critical need for Illinois residents, providing homeless services that move people from crisis to stability. In fiscal year 2005, 26,340 households were served. More than half, 56%, of these households needed shelter for less than one month. In addition, 52% of households went on to permanent housing and 19% went to stay with family or friends.

Rising costs for utilities, more than 20% on average, and employee health care benefits, more than 10% on average, are just some of the increased costs providers are facing that are inhibiting their ability to serve to people in crisis with no place else to go.

We are asking you to ensure that the Illinois budget does not overlook the most vulnerable among us. Restoring the Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Program to a workable level will allow Illinois’ homeless system to be there, for all of us.

Sincerely,