We need your voice to advocate for people experiencing homelessness.
Calling all housing advocates! It’s budget time in the Oregon Legislature, and we need you to advocate for more resources for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in our communities. This week in particular it is so important that our Legislators hear from us about programs for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
Can you spare five minutes to write an email or call your Legislator? We’ll make it easy:
First, find your Representative and Senator. There are two Legislators who represent you in Salem, and we want you to contact both of them! Enter your address to find out who they are, and how to reach them.
Second, start your email. Open your letter by sharing your name, and generally where you live (or the area your organization serves). Let them know you’re writing to ask for their support to help make sure every Oregonian has a safe place to call home.
Share either a story about housing needs in your community, or one (only one!) statistic or data point about the housing needs in your community.
Now, ask your Legislators to invest in housing opportunity! This session, the Housing Alliance has a number of budget proposals that we’re advocating for, and right now we want your help to secure resources to help prevent or end homelessness. Last, it’s time for the ask:
Ask for their support to help prevent and end homelessness. We’re not just asking for their vote – we’re asking for these resources to be on their list of things that absolutely must be invested in. Here is a partial list of proposals that will support preventing and ending homelessness that we’re asking for this session – Here are some of the things we’re supporting this session, to ask for their support on:
- $50 million in on-going funds for the Emergency Housing Account and State Homeless Assistance Program.
- $20.5 million to support preventing and ending homelessness specifically for children and families.
- $20 million to support renters in private market rental housing to access information, legal assistance, and hotline services (among other supports).
- $10 million to support people seeking safety from violence through increasing the Oregon Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Fund.
Share what you think the impact of this investment might be. How would these resources help your community? How would individuals, families, and communities benefit from this type of investment?
Remind your Legislator what it means to have a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home, and thank your Legislator for their attention and for their service.
That’s it! Thank you for your advocacy! (We’ll be back next week for advocacy on other budget requests and bonds!)