October 2021
Bring America Home NOW! Decades of incremental change have not resolved homelessness. Join us here in calling for a permanent end to homelessness!
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After several months of negotiations, the president’s original $3.5 trillion-dollar infrastructure spending measure, called Build Back Better, has now been reduced in price tag to $1.75 trillion dollars (read the text of the Build Back Better bill).
Some of the highlights of the bill include:
- 150 billion in housing investments
- Extension of the Child Tax Credit for one year
- 100 billion to reduce immigration backlogs
- Expansion of health care coverage that will save nine million Americans $600 a year on their premiums
*Photo of Donald Whitehead with Rep. Maxine Waters at Bring American Home NOW Rally for Housing as Infrastructure, Oct. 20. 2021
Things left out of the final framework:
- Paid family leave
- Clean Electricity Performance Program
- Ability for the government to negotiate with drug companies for Medicare also won’t be allowed.
While the included funding and measures are a critical first step, Los Angeles and New York City public housing alone need $150 billion to get housing up to code.
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Be sure to register ASAP to attend the virtual Unhoused Leadership Summit happening next Saturday, November 6th, 11am EST/10 Central to 6pm EST/5pm Central.
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Staff Spotlight: Reflection on Racial Injustice
I was a part of a small group of thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds who often played a lively game of tag football in the Burnet Avenue U.S Post office parking lot in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I had just scored a long touchdown. As I was finishing my touchdown celebration, I noticed a University of Cincinnati Police cruiser drive by. I saw the woman in the back pointing at some of the people in the parking lot. Minutes later, the parking lot was swamped with police cars. Campus police and Cincinnati officers jumped out in mass with guns drawn, and suddenly we were ordered against the vehicles, and guns were pointed at our heads. We were confused and terrified about what was happening what we had done other than play football on the lot for several hours. Why was there so much anger coming from the police officers? Why did they have their guns drawn?
Read more of the reflection from Donald Whitehead, NCH Executive Director
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Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is recognized each year, the week before Thanksgiving. This year, the Week is being recognized November 13-21st. Here are actions you can take:
- Check the website for more details, and tips on holding events during the week!
- Join NCH and our advocates who have been homeless on our YouTube channel with original content all week.
- If you are in NYC, come to an amazing performance on Nov. 17th to raise funds for the Bring America Home NOW Campaign - Featuring John Leguizamo, Mark Gregory, Ala Bama the Comedian, Mona Shaikh and JuDee Brown!
- We will be gathering supplies for CAREbags. If you are interested in receiving back-packs that local college students put together please contact Caitlyn Cobb at NCH at [email protected]
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National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day
NCH collaborates with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council to commemorate Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. This is a day to remember those who have passed away over the last year. The target is to host a candlelight vigil on December 21, the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. There is nice tool kit here to give some pointers for constructing a local memorial day. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or would like your local memorial day publicized by NCH.
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Submit Your Input to USICH
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is seeking input on its Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness until November 30, 2021!
Among the people who are encouraged to submit feedback are:
- people who have experienced homelessness;
- people who serve the LGBTQ, BIPOC, or veteran communities;
- and people whose work involves the justice system.
Make your voice heard and comment here today!
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VOTE!
Local elections are coming up! Click below to check your registration status, or look up who is running for office in your community. Local elections (state, city, county) are just as important, if not more so, than the presidential or congressional elections. Local elected leaders can decide how quickly emergency funds are dispersed in your community. They also decide on zoning issues that greatly affect how much affordable housing is available in your city.
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Save the Date:
November 6, 2021
NCH will be holding a (Virtual) National Leadership Summit. The Summit is specifically intended for advocates who are currently, or who have experienced homelessness.
November 17, 2021
In support of the Bring America Home NOW! campaign, John Leguizamo will headline a show at the former Jackie Robinson YMCA in Harlem, New York City. Click the link to buy your tickets today!
November 13-21, 2021
Start planning now for your National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week events.
December 21, 2021
Each year, on the longest night of the year, we remember those we have lost to the trauma of homelessness. Will you take part in Homeless Persons' Memorial Day this year?
National Coalition for the Homeless, 2201 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
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