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Next week, Congress will return to Washington, and the House is set to wrap up appropriations markups and move quickly to floor votes. In addition, the security fencing surrounding the Capitol is set to come down over the next three days. While the fence comes down, the Capitol is still primarily closed to the public. In a memo, the Architect of the Capitol, indicated current Capitol access restrictions "will remain in place." It's unclear when tours will resume, even as tourists return to the Nation's Capital. On July 2, 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the jobs numbers for the month of June. Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 850,000 in June. Both the unemployment rate, at 5.9 percent, and the number of unemployed persons, at 9.5 million, were little changed in June. These measures are down considerably from their recent highs in April 2020 but remain well above their levels prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (3.5 percent and 5.7 million, respectively, in February 2020). Housing Assistance At the time, it is uncertain, but unlikely that the Administration will extend the Eviction Moratorium beyond the July 31st deadline. Please see the following message provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a number of steps being taken to keep people in their homes by protecting renters and homeowners who are still experiencing shocks from the pandemic and its economic fallout. While the nationwide eviction moratorium was extended until July 31, it is important to direct families and communities to resources described below to help people stay in their homes. - Until July 31, individuals can present a "declaration form" to their landlord stating that they cannot pay rent due to lost income or high expenses. Everyone on the lease needs to sign the form. You can check eligibility and find the form at this website. A moratorium is just a pause on payments; individuals must still pay or face eviction when the moratorium is lifted. That is why it is important to direct members of your community to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program which can pay back rent and other expenses, depending on what your local area covers.
- The Emergency Rental Assistance Program can provide up to 18 months back rent, utilities, moving expenses, late fees, and other expenses. Specific coverage and income eligibility limits depend on where you live. Visit this website to find out specific information and start your application process in your community.
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides a set of resources to help renters understand more about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
- Individuals can connect with a HUD-Approved housing counselor by going to this HUD website or by calling (800) 569-4287.
- Individuals at risk of losing their home or need support related to housing should visit https://www.usa.gov/finding-home or https://www.hudexchange.info/housing-and-homeless-assistance/
COVID-19 Update There is a slight uptick in COVID-19 infections. On July 8, 2021, the CDC reported that there were 20,071 new COVID-19 cases and 244 deaths, with 104,194 new cases in the past week. Across the country, 183 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 158 million people who have been fully vaccinated. People who are unvaccinated should remain vigilant in their use of masks and social distancing, since there is a slight increase in infection numbers. CCUSA is a founding member of the COVID-19 Community Corps to support vaccination across the country. Locate the closest place for a vaccine here.
Please visit the CCUSA Social Policy/Advocacy page for updates and policy papers. See here.
Faith and the Common Good
Last week, the country celebrated July 4th with many traveling and gathering with family and friends. Sadly, the community of Surfside, Florida shifted from rescue to recovery operation at the site of the Champlain Towers South collapse. Some communities are seeing increases in COVID-19 infections. Let us pray that we continue to search for solutions together. Lord, Lord, Open Unto Me Open unto me, light for my darkness
Open unto me, courage for my fear
Open unto me, hope for my despair
Open unto me, peace for my turmoil
Open unto me, joy for my sorrow
Open unto me, strength for my weakness
Open unto me, wisdom for my confusion
Open unto me, forgiveness for my sins
Open unto me, tenderness for my toughness
Open unto me, love for my hates
Open unto me, Thy Self for myself
Lord, Lord, open unto me! Howard Thurman, from Meditations of the Heart
Trivia
What appliance was first installed in 1902, making a huge difference in the summer days in the Northern hemisphere? On June 25th, the trivia question was, 'What giant retailer opened its doors on July 2, 1962?" Lori Marshall was the first to submit Walmart as the giant retailer that opened its doors on July 2, 1962. Walmart Inc. is a multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of supercenters, discount department stores, and grocery stores in the United States, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company was founded by Sam Walton in nearby Rogers, Arkansas in 1962 and incorporated under Delaware General Corporation Law on October 31, 1969. It also owns and operates Sam's Club retail warehouses. As of April 30, 2021, Walmart has 10,526 stores and clubs in 24 countries, operating under 48 different names. Since Sam Walton's death in 1992, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation dramatically increased charitable giving. For example, in 2005, Walmart donated $20 million in cash and merchandise for Hurricane Katrina relief and in 2020 they committed $25 million to organizations on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Today, Walmart's charitable donations approach $1 billion each year. Walmart has funded Catholic Charities for ten consecutive years to support 49 agencies to continue their work on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach and enrollment. CCUSA also received $1.5 million from the Walmart Foundation to reduce hunger among people who are struggling with poverty. The grant money provides funding to help eligible persons enroll in SNAP, provide case management for individuals and families on SNAP; and help improve rural food distribution.
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