February 23, 2010 - Please join the Partnership for Strong Communities and your colleagues across the state in writing letters to Senators Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman and your U.S. Representative to ask them to support a funding level of $2.4 billion for Homelessness Assistance Grants this year.  Please note - the dealine has been extended to Monday, March 1, 2010.

Why is funding at the $2.4 billion level so critical?
Last year Congress made big improvements to the McKinney program by passing the HEARTH Act. Because of this legislation, a funding level of $2.4 billion will provide communities across Connecticut with more resources for prevention and assistance to families experiencing homelessness. Without a funding level of $2.4 billion to pay for these activities, Connecticut and our local communities will receive less funding for new supportive housing projects in FY 2011 - we need YOUR help!

What you can do:
1. Write 3 letters (to your U.S. Rep. and your two U.S. Senators) on your organization's or personal letterhead and ask your clients and colleagues to write letters - letter templates for each letter are below.

2. Fax the letters to the appropriate congressional offices:

Senator Christopher Dodd
Fax: 202-224-5137 to the attention of Housing Staffer Beth Cooper
Sample letter

Senator Joseph Lieberman
Fax: 202-224-9750 to the attention of Housing Staffer Bret Hester
Sample letter

Your Congressional Representative - select your Congressperson from the list below:

Representative John Larson (District 1)
Fax: 202-225-1031 to the attention of Housing Staffer David Sitcovsky
Sample letter

Representative Joseph Courtney (District 2)
Fax: 202-225-4977 to the attention of Housing Staffer Bret Kupfer
Sample letter

Representative Rosa DeLauro (District 3)
Fax: 202-225-4890 to the attention of Housing Staffer Meghan Whealan
Sample letter

Representative Jim Himes (District 4)
Fax: 202-225-9629 to the attention of Housing Staffer Lex Paulson
Sample letter

Representative Christopher Murphy (District 5)
Fax: 202-225-5933 to the attention of Legislative Director Paul Kidwell
Sample letter

3. Email or fax us copies of each letter by Monday, March 1, 2010 - this is very important for tracking progress.
Our fax: 860-247-4320 or .

Why should you send your letters today?
The HEARTH Act changes the way funds are allocated and increases funding for homelessness prevention, assistance to families with children, and rural programs. Under the HEARTH Act, $2.4 billion will allow Connecticut to create 20 - 50% more permanent supportive housing units than in 2008. 

To make the greatest impact, we want everyone to send letters at the same time, from now through Feb 22, 2010. Congress just began making decisions about funding levels for federal programs, so now is the time to start influencing your Members of Congress. They need to hear from constituents EARLY in this process, so we can be sure that they prioritize funding for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs.

Letters from constituents do make an impact. Last year, Washington State's letters convinced Senator Murray (Chair of the Subcommittee that funds HUD) to increase the Senate's McKinney appropriation in the FINAL stages of the HUD appropriations bill.