Senators are circulating “Dear Colleague” sign-on letters in support of funding for affordable housing and community development programs in fiscal year (FY) 2019. NLIHC encourages advocates to reach out to their senators and ask them to sign onto the following letters:
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and Homeless Assistance
- Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is circulating a letter requesting $2.8 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants and $22.8 billion for tenant-based rental assistance in FY19. The deadline to sign is April 13. Senators can contact Meredith Booker (Meredith_Booker@merkley.senate.gov) to sign the letter.
Public Housing
- Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is circulating a letter in support of the public housing program. The letter requests full funding for the public housing operating fund and $5 billion for the public housing capital fund. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 16. Senators can contact Rebecca Schatz (Rebecca_Schatz@menendez.senate.gov) or Meredith Booker (Meredith_Booker@merkley.senate.gov) to sign.
Project-Based Rental Assistance
- Senators Jeff Merkley and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) are circulating a letter supporting $12.2 billion for the Project-Based Section 8 program to renew existing contracts for a full twelve-month term. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 13. Senators can contact Meredith Booker (Meredith_Booker@merkley.senate.gov) to sign.
Housing for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
- Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is circulating a letter in support of HUD’s Section 202 and 811 programs for the development of new housing and the continuation of rental assistance for very low income seniors and persons with disabilities. The letter requests $619 million for renewal funding and $210 million for capital advance and project-based rental assistance awards for the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program, and $313 million for the Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 16. Senators can contact Rebecca Schatz (Rebecca_Schatz@menendez.senate.gov) to sign.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) are circulating a letter calling for $1.5 billion in funding for the HOME Investment Partnerships program (HOME) in FY19. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 16. Senators can contact Kelsey Daniels (Kelsey_Daniels@coons.senate.gov) or Brent Palmer (Brent_Palmer@feinstein.senate.gov) to sign.
Community Development Block Grant Program
- Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chris Coons (D-DE) are circulating a letter in support of $3.5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) in FY19. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 13. Senators can contact Kelsey Daniels (Kelsey_Daniels@coons.senate.gov) or Brent Palmer (Brent_Palmer@feinstein.senate.gov) to sign.
Choice Neighborhoods Initiative
- Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is circulating a letter in support of $200 million for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative in FY19. The deadline for senators to sign the letter is April 16. Senators can contact Rebecca Schatz (Rebecca_Schatz@menendez.senate.gov) to sign.