The Governor's 2010 - 2012 Proposed Budget cuts state homeless prevention and assistance programs by 18 percent.  It also cuts the indoor plumbing program by $500,000.


Action Items
1. Speak at one of the regional budget hearings in early January to request support for restoring and maintaining funds for these programs (see below for more information.)

2. Call your Senator and Delegate to alert them to the devastating effect of these cuts on efforts to prevent and end homelessness (see below for more information.)

VCEH's goal is to increase resources for homeless prevention, homeless assistance and affordable housing.  Our first step is to hold the line and maintain current funds. 

Please join the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, Virginia Housing Coalition, Virginia Interfaith Center on Public Policy, and the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance in a coordinated effort to:

• restore funds to critical homeless and housing programs, and

• maintain funding for housing and homeless programs, including the Homeless Intervention Program (HIP), the Shelter Support Grant (SSG), and the Child Services Coordinator Grant (CSCG), as additional budget cuts are considered.

VCEH Policy Brief - Preserving Current Levels of State Funds for Homeless Programs


More Information - Regional Budget Hearings:
During the first weeks of January, the General Assembly holds budget hearings around the state.  We need volunteers to speak on behalf of restoring funds to housing and homeless programs at one of the budget hearings.

Can't Lobby?  Contact us to discuss how you can get involved even if you cannot lobby.

Each speaker at the budget hearing has approximately three minutes.  See the link below for suggested talking points for your three minutes to ensure that all speakers deliver a consistent and strong message.

Budget hearings will take place in Portsmouth, Harrisonburg, and Blacksburg on January 7; Fairfax County on January 8; Richmond on January 11.   Click the link below for exact times and locations.

Please RSVP to let us know that you will participate by emailing phyllis@vceh.org

Materials:
Budget hearing schedule

Talking points

Background information on the state budget process


More Information - Calling Your Senator and Delegate
Below is a link to the VCEH Policy Brief outlining the proposed cuts which you can consult for more information on the specifics of the budget proposal. 

Call your Senator and Delegate and in your own words (1) describe how your agency depends on one or more of the programs that is proposed to be cut, (2) ask for their support to reverse the cuts. Use the Talking points document for help crafting your message.

Please report the results of your conversation to phyllis@vceh.org

Materials:
VCEH Policy Brief - Preserving Current Levels of State Funds for Homeless Programs


Background
Governor Kaine, in his 2010 Reduction Plan, imposed a 10 percent cut to state funding for the Homeless Intervention Program (HIP) as well as cuts to the Shelter Improvement Grant and the Indoor Plumbing program.  The Governor's 2010 - 2012 Proposed Budget makes further cuts to homeless prevention and assistance. It decreases HIP, SSG, and CSCG by 18 percent and cuts the indoor plumbing program by $500,000.

VCEH acknowledges that these are difficult economic times.  However, we cannot afford cuts to critical programs that prevent Virginia's families from falling through the cracks and experiencing homelessness.

The Washington Examiner covered the impact of the proposed budget cuts on homeless programs.  Read more.