On February 19,2011, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the latest Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 which includes a 70 percent cut to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. This extraordinary cut to a critically needed federal supportive housing program means that as many as 10,000 of the 14,000+ vulnerable households with significant and long-term disabilities who currently have a Section 811-funded Mainstream voucher could lose their housing assistance. It also means that no new Section 811 supportive housing units will be funded in FY2011.

Advocates are urged to contact their U.S. Senators and voice opposition to this 70 percent cut in Section 811. Urge your senators to provide full funding for all Section 811 renewals, including PRAC renewals as well as Section 811-funded Mainstream voucher renewals.

All U.S. Senate offices can be reached by calling 202-244-3121. You can also find contact information for your Senators at http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. It is important to contact your Senators as soon as possible to ensure that the Senate CR - which should be released sometime next week - provides full funding for the Section 811 program.

NOTE: This cut will affect many residents of Whatcom County.

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March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month

March is a perfect opportunity to celebrate diversity, respect and inclusion at your school, church, organization or workplace. For more information, call Amy at The Arc: (360) 715-0170, ext. 309.