Terri Hamrick, MNM
Executive Director
Survivors, Inc.
Post Office Box 3572
Gettysburg, PA  17325
(717) 334-0589 Extension 22
Facsimile (717) 334-3576
EMail:  Terri@...
 
Mission Statement
Survivors supports those who experience domestic violence or sexual assault
and strives to create a world in which violence against women and children
is unthinkable.
 
 


-----Original Message-----
From: policy@... [mailto:policy@...] On Behalf Of
Nicole A. Lindemyer
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 4:15 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: ACTION NEEDED: PROTECT HOMELESS VICTIMS OF DV!
Importance: High

This message is from the PCADV Policy Contacts List


July 28, 2008 – Please Forward!


TAKE ACTION – EXPAND THE HUD DEFINITION OF HOMELESSNESS TO INCLUDE CHILDREN,
YOUTH AND FAMILIES – INCLUDING DV VICTIMS

CALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE (PA REPS GERLACH &
KANJORSKI) TODAY!!

ASK THEM TO SUPPORT THE HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH AMENDMENT for the HEARTH
ACT

Background

On Wednesday, July 30, the House Financial Services Committee will be
working on the HEARTH Act (H.R. 840) – legislation that would reauthorize
the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Act, which outlines federal policy on
homelessness and provides federal funding for homelessness services.

Although the bill has taken significant steps to meet the needs of victims,
more is needed to ensure that victims of domestic violence and other
extremely vulnerable families can access vital homelessness services in
order to find safety and stability. It is expected that the bill will
include a
narrow definition of homelessness that excludes many homeless children,
youth and families from being eligible for U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) homelessness services. More specifically, this
definition excludes individuals and families who are living in doubled-up
accommodation and those living in motels/hotels. This definition is not
aligned with other federal programs that DO provide support to families in
these situations.

As you know, many abused individuals flee to family and friends or
motels/hotels and may not immediately identify as victims of domestic
violence. In those scenarios, they may be eligible for homelessness
services through other federal agencies, but not through HUD.

Proposed Amendment to Expand Homelessness Definition

The Homeless Children and Youth Amendment to the HEARTH Act will allow
homeless children, youth, and families who are verified as homeless by other
federal programs to be eligible for HUD homeless assistance services.

To protect all victims of domestic violence and children and families, this
bill should expand the definition of homelessness and align it with the
definitions found in other federal agencies so that more families and
individuals can receive assistance, including victims of domestic violence.


TAKE ACTION

Two PA Representatives are on the House Financial Services Committee: Rep.
Paul Kanjorski (D-Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, tel#
202-225-6511) and Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Berks, Chester, Montgomery, Lehigh,
tel# 202-225-4315)

Call Representatives Kanjorski and Gerlach today and say:

* Your name and the city and state you live in.

* Please support the Homeless Children and Youth Amendment to the HEARTH
Act (H.R. 840) to allow homeless children, youth and families who are
verified as homeless by other federal programs to be eligible for HUD
homeless assistance services. This amendment is a step in the right
direction
towards addressing the needs of victims of domestic violence.

Never called your Representative before? Don't worry, it's easy!

When you call your Representative's office, your call will be answered by a
receptionist. Tell him or her that you want to leave a message for the
Representative. The receptionist will take down your message.

Not sure who your Representative is? Visit [ http://www.house.gov/
]www.house.gov to find their names and contact information.

What happens next?

The bill must be passed by the House Financial Services Committee before it
can be considered by the entire House of Representatives. Upon passage by
the full House, Representatives from the House Financial Services Committee
will meet with the parallel Senate Committee to reconcile their two
bills. We may need you to call again throughout the process to make sure
that the language meets the needs of victims of domestic violence.

THANK YOU!

Thanks again for being a voice for survivors! Your work to break down
barriers to safety is so vital!

Nicole A. Lindemyer, Esq.
Policy & Special Projects Manager
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)
6400 Flank Drive, Suite 1300
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 545-6400, ext. 205
nal@...

This list provided as a service of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against
Domestic Violence.