Congress passes legislation!
President Obama may sign the bill this week!
Menendez and Lautenberg support change!
NJ House members vote 12-1 in favor!
How NJ’s Delegation voted:
Senators who voted Yes!
Sen. Frank Lautenberg
Sen. Robert MenendezTo see how the full Senate voted click here.
Congressman who voted Yes!
Rep. Rob Andrews
Rep. John Adler
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen
Rep. Rush Holt
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
Rep. Bill Pascrell
Rep. Leonard Lance
Rep. Frank LoBiondo
Rep. Donald Payne
Rep. Steve Rothman
Rep. Chris Smith
Rep. Albio SiresCongrssman who voted No!
To see how the full House voted click here.
On May 19, 2009, both the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed S. 896, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. The legislation will reauthorize McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance programs for the first time in nearly 20 years. The legislation will provide communities with new resources and better tools to prevent and end homelessness. The bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature. He is expected to sign the legislation as early as the end of this week.
This is a historic day in our efforts to end homelessness in New Jersey. We need to thank the members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation who voted in favor of this crucial piece of legislation as well as let those who did not vote in favor know why this is important to our efforts to end homelessness in New Jersey. This has been a priority issue for the New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness and our members. It was also an issue which was discussed with the members of Congress visited during Lobby Day on April 22nd. This is a clear example of how effective advocacy can make a difference!
Click on the name of any member listed on the right to get contact information from their web sites. Please send us an email [Email address: rbrown #AT# njaneh.org - replace #AT# with @ ] to let us know that you have contacted both Senators and your congressman.
This vote will be one of the ones that will be used in the 2009 Congressional Report Card. In addition, during the 3rd Annual Congressional Reception this will allow us time to thank our members who supported the HEARTH legislation. Click here to register to attend!
S. 896 incorporates as an amendment the compromise, bipartisan Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act.
The changes will not go into effect until 18 months after passage, giving HUD and communities time to prepare.
To read an analysis of the HEARTH Act, click here.
The HEARTH Act would reauthorize McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance programs, substantially improving communities’ ability to prevent and end homelessness. The legislation:
- Allows up to 20 percent of funds to be used to prevent homelessness or rapidly re-house people who become homeless through the new “Emergency Solutions Grants” (formerly Emergency Shelter Grants);
- Consolidates the Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care, and the Moderate Rehabilitation/Single Room Occupancy Program into a single Continuum of Care program;
- Increases the emphasis on performance by measuring applicants’ progress at reducing homelessness;
- Requires that HUD provide incentives for proven solutions, including rapid re- housing programs for homeless families and permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and families;
- Designates 30 percent of total funds for new permanent housing for families and individuals with a disability;
- Simplifies the requirement for matching funds; Modestly expands the definition of homelessness; Allows grantees to use up to an additional 10 percent of competitive funds to serve families defined as homeless under the Department of Education (but not HUD);
- Creates the Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program, which would grant rural communities greater flexibility in utilizing Homeless Assistance Grants and allow them to use more funding for capacity building; and
- Authorizes $2.2 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2010, and such sums as necessary for FY2011.
Senator Menendez and Richard W. Brown at the 2nd Annual Congressional Reception
