Housing and Hunger
Our Position:
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton is committed to promoting safe, decent, affordable housing and believes that every individual deserves a roof over their head and food in their stomach. Catholic Charities Trenton is an active member of the NJ Advocacy Network to End Homelessness, the NJ Housing and Community Development Network, the NJ Anti-Hunger Coalition and the Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness and is committed to ending homelessness and hunger.
What's Happening:
New Jersey signs County Homeless Trust Fund into Law!
The County Homeless Trust Funds will allow counties that have developed plans to end homelessness to have a recurring source of funding. These counties will be able to dedicate the funding to achieving their goal of ending homelessness. The funds must be used for programs that measurably reduce homelessness and save money over time. Putting the funding into effective programs will not only reduce the number of those without homes but will work toward ending homelessness all together.
Advocate for County Plans to End Homelessness
Now that the County Homeless Trust Fund has become law, we are advocating for all of NJ's counties to develop plans to end homelessness.
For more information on the NJ County Homeless Trust Fund visit:
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/2009/approved/20090908a.html
http://www.njaneh.org/homeless-trust-funds/
Support the National Housing Trust Fund
The National Housing Trust Fund was established by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Once capitalized, the Trust Fund will provide communities with funds to build, preserve, and rehabilitate rental homes that are affordable for extremely low-income households. The Housing Trust provides a dedicated source of funding and 75 percent of the funds for rental housing must benefit extremely low- income households and all funds must benefit very low-income households. In his FY 10 budget proposal, President Obama called for $1 billion in funding for the NHTF. We are asking Congress to support bills which dedicate $1billion in funding to the Fund.
12/21 UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND
The House of Representatives approved the Jobs for Main Street Act, 2010 (H.R. 2847) by a 217-212 vote on December 16, 2009. The $75 billion bill included $1 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund and $65 million for project-based vouchers to be distributed along with NHTF dollars. The Jobs for Main Street Act would be paid for with unused TARP funds.
New Jersey's Congressional delegation voted 7-6 in favor.
The state-of-play in the Senate is very fluid and changes hourly. The Senate still has to pass several "must pass" items before the end of the year, but is more likely to consider its version of a "Jobs" bill after the New Year. It is critical that we remind Senators know that you expect them to secure funding for the NHTF as soon as possible.
For all of the details use this link:
http://www.njaneh.org/2009/12/17/house-approves-nhtf-in-jobs-bill/
NJ Advocacy Network to End Homelessness Promotes "Homeless Person's Memorial Day."
For over ten years many communities have held this event on December 21st, the longest night of the year in memorial of homeless who have died. The Advocacy Network to End Homelessness is encouraging local organizations who are involved in ending homelessness and all those interested to host a memorial for those who have died homeless in their communities.
To learn more visit: www.njaneh.org/memorial-day/
