April 26: National Call-In Day Urging Congress to Protect Low-Income Housing for the Elderly

April 25, 2017

Join us Wednesday, April 26 for a National Call-In Day urging Congress to pass FY17 spending bills and protect low-income housing for the elderly!

Leading Age, National Low Income Housing Coalition, the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding, and other national housing and community development organizations are asking advocates to call our Senate and House offices on April 26 with this simple message: “Please enact a fiscal year 2017 bill to fully fund HUD’s critical programs!”

Congress faces a deadline of April 28 to fund the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2017. This is our LAST CHANCE to make sure Congress knows how important federal funding for housing programs is for our community!

What’s at Stake

Without a fiscal year 2017 funding bill, HUD might continue to be funded at fiscal year 2016 levels.

For the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program, 2016 funding levels could mean HUD might not have the resources it needs to renew Section 202 Project Rental Assistance Contracts that come up for renewal this October and November. The Section 202 account NEEDS a $72 million increase from fiscal year 2016 to be fully funded in fiscal year 2017.

Please watch this story on WLOS to see how these issues directly affect seniors in our community.

Background

In 2016, the Senate passed its fiscal year 2017 HUD spending bill, and the House Appropriations Committee approved its version of this bill. But Congress decided not to enact most of the spending bills, including HUD’s, and instead funded most federal programs at fiscal year 2016 levels until April 28. HUD programs cannot continue to be funded at fiscal year 2016 levels through the end of this fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2017) without causing major challenges to these programs’ ability to help older adults afford their housing.

Call Your Reps on Wednesday 4/26

Call BOTH of your Senators:

  • Sen. Richard Burr – (202)224-3154
  • Sen Thom Tillis  – (202) 224-6342

Call the Congressman for your district:

  • (District 10) Rep. Patrick McHenry – (202) 225-2576
  • (District 11) Rep. Mark Meadows – (202) 225-6401

If you’re not sure which district you’re in, check here. Asheville is split in half, so it’s important to check.

Sample Script:
“My name is ________ and I am your constituent from ________, North Carolina. I’m calling to urge you to work with your colleagues to pass a final spending bill for Fiscal Year 2017 that protects affordable housing investments at HUD. These resources keep roofs over the heads of low income seniors, families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable people. Affordable housing is a smart investment, leading to better health and boosting economic mobility and local economies. It is absolutely critical for seniors to have access to housing they can afford to avoid homelessness. There already exists a serious shortage of low-income housing for seniors with long waiting lists at existing housing facilities for low-income seniors such as Laurel Wood in Asheville. Further Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program funding cuts will be devastating to vulnerable seniors in our community. Our communities are stronger because of HUD investments. Please do not put these resources at risk by failing to pass full-year spending bills by the April 28 deadline.”

Sample Script (short version):
“My name is ________ and I am your constituent from ________, North Carolina. I urge you to pass a final spending bill that protects affordable housing investments at HUD. These resources keep roofs over the heads of low income seniors, families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable people. Affordable housing is a smart investment, and it’s absolutely critical for seniors. We already have a serious shortage of low-income housing for seniors here in Buncombe County, and more cuts would be devastating to vulnerable seniors in our community. Our communities are stronger because of HUD investments. Please do not put these resources at risk by failing to pass full-year spending bills by the April 28 deadline.”

 

 

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