“Fiddling” As Housing Demand Burns
These reports generally confirm what we already know: there is
an incredible and growing shortage of housing supply. This shortfall is
dramatically affecting housing for moderate and low-income households, but far
more devastating to extremely low-income households most vulnerable to unstable
housing and homelessness. Unfortunately, much of the federal response would
only make the problem worse.
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At the same time, there are efforts in Congress, supported by
the administration, to cut SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp program) payments and
make fewer families eligible, and threaten many safety net programs. Studies
like the NLIHC and Furman Center reports show just how devastating those kinds of
cutbacks to unstably housed households and those living with
nutrition-insecurity would be. This is hardly the time for cutbacks. Better-funded
programs offering more housing opportunities to extremely low-income households
isn’t just the right thing to do; it would produce dramatically better outcomes
and actually save public resources over time.
Now, while these debates on housing, healthcare and food
security issues, as well as other safety net programs are ongoing, is the right
time to call your members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Let
them know you advocate for better funding for programs that provide housing
supports, healthcare and food security to our most vulnerable neighbors. It is
critical because stable housing, good healthcare and adequate food are all
human rights. You can find out who your representatives in congress are, and
call them free at 202-224-3121.
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