United for Homes Summer Challenge
Earlier this summer the United for Homes kicked off a Summer Challenge! It is an exciting and fun way to keep the National Housing Trust Fund in front of Congress during the summer recess.
The first action they are asking for us to take will strengthen the United for Homes campaign by meeting with our elected officials at home during Congress’ summer recess. The below information from our friends at United for Homes is a step by step guide to making your advocacy easy and fun.
The Senate and the House will be in recess for all of August, and the House is currently scheduled to be at home for most of October as well. These are great times to meet with your Members of Congress at home to talk about making United for Homes a legislative priority.
TALKING POINTS ON United For Homes
- The Problem: Bring copies of your State Housing Profile and Congressional District Profile to share key facts on the local population of renters and shortage of affordable housing.
- The Solution: Explain how the National Housing Trust Fund is the strongest solution to address the affordable housing crisis because it uniquely targets low income rental housing. Before the meeting, look up your state’s estimated allocation amount to demonstrate how funding the NHTF would benefit your community.
- How We Can Achieve It:Brush up on the United For Homes proposal to fund the NHTF through modifications to the mortgage interest deduction. Focus on how our proposal would result in approximately $230 billion in revenue for the NHTF, and would help 16 million more homeowners, mostly low and middle income, receive the tax benefit. Use your state’s map of mortgages over $500,000 to show how small of a percentage of homeowners fall into that category.
- Popular Policy: Let your elected officials know that the majority of Americans favor the United For Homes proposal. Print out the campaign endorser list for them as well.
TIPS ON TAKING ACTION
- Schedule the meeting in advance. Call your Member’s scheduler at least one month in advance. To find contact information, type in your zip code under the “Contact Congress” box in the bottom right of NLIHC’s website.
- Plan your presentation. Be prepared to inform your elected officials about your work and who you represent. Coordinate with other advocates to join the meeting, and assign speaking roles. Print out materials to leave behind. And of course, practice your talking points!
- Establish a relationship. Follow-up with member or staff who attended the meeting to thank them for their time and to provide any additional information.
SHARE YOUR ADVOCACY!
- Contact your NLIHC Housing Advocacy Organizer before the meeting. We can help you prepare for the meeting.
- Request to take a picture at the meeting. Send the photo to sarah@nlihc.org and we will share your successful advocacy work on Twitter and Facebook.
- Report back. Help NLIHC better support your advocacy by completing our Lobby Visit Report Form.
You have all made the important decision to support United for Homes. Make sure your Members of Congress know that this is a priority!
