CHAPA CALL TO ACTION: U.S. Senate Budget Proposal Drastically Decreases HOME Funding. Make Two Quick Calls to Senators Markey and Warren TODAY! June 25, 2015

The FY2016 Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) has released a bill that virtually eliminates the HOME program.  HOME was funded at $900 million in FY16.  This THUD bill funds HOME at $66 million (a staggering 93% cut from last year!).
 
The near elimination of HOME would have very harmful impacts on housing activities in the Commonwealth. Since 1992, Massachusetts has received $300 million in HOME funds.  HOME is a critical resource in the effort to provide housing for people of low and moderate incomes.  These funds are used for homeownership, production of rental housing, and preservation – all essential to making sure that people in need of housing have housing options, including people with special needs, the elderly, homeless veterans, and those at risk of becoming homeless.
 
In FY2015, Massachusetts received approximately $23 million in grants to larger cities, local consortia of cities and towns, and to DHCD for housing activities including rental and homeownership programs.  Cuts to HOME will reduce the number of low income households the state and communities can assist. Of the 60 applications in the DHCD’s current rental round, 31 are seeking HOME for a total of $17 million. CHAPA is concerned that cuts to HOME would prevent DHCD from making awards.

Please take action today! The 3 part message is below.
Senator Markey – (202) 224-2742
Senator Warren – (202) 224-4543

1. Thank Senator Markey and Senator Warren for their continued strong support of housing programs, including the HOME program.
2. Remind them that the HOME program is critical to our ability to provide affordable housing in Massachusetts, and ask them to oppose the Senate bill, which cuts HOME by 93%.
3. Tell them that you support removing the budget sequester caps, so that all housing and community development programs can receive the funding they need to effectively serve communities in need. (Please note that this point is particularly important to make in your call – without removing the sequester budget caps, there’s just not enough money to fund HUD programs!)