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Dear John,
It is a great honor to write to you as the second Executive Director of the National Homelessness Law Center after stepping into the shoes of founder Maria Foscarinis this past Spring. Maria’s vision of the Law Center – as the legal arm of the national movement to end homelessness – is more critical now than ever, as millions of individuals, families and children face housing instability as courts reopen to evictions.
The Law Center continues to rise to these challenges. This year the Law Center was able to:
Win millions for housing and services for persons experiencing homelessness: In February, 2021, the Law Center, Idaho Legal Aid and pro bono counsel from Latham & Watkins, together with the City of Boise, settled Martin v. Boise, the landmark Ninth Circuit case finding arrests of unhoused persons unconstitutional when housing alternatives are unavailable. The settlement included a $1.3 million commitment from the City to fund housing, shelter and services. Several cities in the Ninth Circuit, including Modesto and Sacramento, California have
already increased funding for housing options in the wake of the decision in Martin.
Champion groundbreaking federal housing investments: The Build Back Better Act, as it passed the U.S. House, provides $150 billion in housing resources – an unprecedented potential investment. The Law Center has been honored to support our partners leading the advocacy effort, such as the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The Law Center has also championed groundbreaking federal legislation including the Housing is a Human Right Act[[link removed]], Housing is Infrastructure Act of
2021[[link removed]], and Unhoused Bill of Rights[[link removed]] – three bills that would end homelessness by providing even more funding for housing for all persons and protect the civil and human rights of persons experiencing homelessness.
Stand Against Police Brutality: In August, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an investigation into the Phoenix, AZ police department – specifically for its use of force and other civil rights violations against persons experiencing homelessness. The Law Center is advising DOJ and working with local activists to fight for the constitutional rights of people experiencing homelessness in Arizona.
Advocate to End Youth Homelessness: Together with True Colors United, the Law Center released its third iteration of the State Index on Youth Homelessness (www.youthstateindex.com). This advocacy tool tracks and ranks states based on laws, policies and programs to address youth homelessness and has been used across the country – including in Massachusetts, Louisiana and New York – to improve state laws and programs for youth experiencing homelessness.
And in 2020, our pro bono partners devoted thousands of hours in legal research, litigation, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and direct legal advice - with an estimated value of nearly $6.5 million in donated legal services – meaning that your gift is multiplied six-fold!
This year, we hope you will join us[[link removed]] to end homelessness and ensure permanent housing justice for all.
Antonia Fasanelli
Executive Director
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Address postal inquiries to:
National Homelessness Law Center
2000 M Street, N.W., Suite 750-E
Washington, DC 20036
