March 2020
Congress enacted more COVID-19 Relief
NCH members sent over 1,600 letters to Congress urging greater relief and stimulus for homeless and at-risk communities. Thanks in part to this action, the Federal government has now enacted the third stimulus package for COVID-19, known as the CARES Act. While this is an important step in providing relief to people who are economically vulnerable, there is still much more needed to keep our communities healthy, housed, and safe. Notably missing were increases in food assistance, adequate health and housing support for Americans losing their jobs, and enough support to house our vulnerable homeless neighbors.
What about Stimulus Checks?
As enacted, the CARES act would have required a tax return to receive the $1,200 per person stimulus check. The Treasury is now considering sending an automatic payment to anyone receiving social security, many of whom do not submit tax returns.
This is fantastic news, but we need to push to ensure this happens!
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities updated its letter to Treasury, SSA, and the VA to reflect this news and have opened it to sign-ons from organizations who are not CCD members.
The form for signing on (with a link to the letter) is at https://forms.gle/vemafXjY43GvQrVA6. The deadline for sign ons is tomorrow (Friday, April 3) at noon Eastern.
2020 Census Updates
Everyone who is housed should have received a notice in the mail. If you haven't yet responded, you can complete the census questionnaire in a matter of minutes online at 2020census.gov.
The census is important to our communities! Everyone's response matters for allocation of programs that provide food, housing and other assistance to those who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.
Due to the Coronavirus emergency, the enumeration of folks using services and unsheltered will be delayed. While dates are still subject to change, the Census reports the following:
- Group Quarters Enumeration (ie prisons, jails) Delayed until April 16–June 19
- Service-Based Enumeration (ie shelters, food programs) Delayed until April 29–May 1
- Census counts people experiencing homelessness outdoors Delayed until May 1
2020 Elections
We are all living in a new and strange reality. But we are still looking forward to primaries and the general election in November.
We are still working to ensure that anyone who is homeless, or precariously housed through emergency responses, is still able to perform their civic duty to vote.
Follow our You Don't Need a Home to Vote webpage for updates on state elections rules on registration and voting.
Check out our new
You Don't Need a Home to Vote Action Center to check your registration status, and much more!
Additional Coronavirus Resources
- CDC guidelines on keeping unhoused folks safe (spoiler: STOP THE SWEEPS!)
- What Domestic Violence Organizations Need to Know about Coronavirus
- US Interagency Council on Homelessness
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council resource page
- National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty Housing Not Handcuffs Coronavirus info
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Fact sheet roundup
- National Alliance to End Homelessness webinar series
What we're reading that gives us hope and motivation
- HousingNow2020 videos and podcasts
- Homeless People From California to France Are Being Given Emergency Shelter During COVID-19 Response
- Help the homeless, help stem the pandemic
- Amid the coronavirus crisis, mutual aid networks erupt across the country
- Homes Guarantee COVID-19 Demands
- Skid Row Power's DIY Handwashing Campaign
- Communities United for Police Reform's #HomelesscantStayhome Campaign
NCH, 2201 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
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