Legislative Updates 
Advocacy
Mobilizing for change…
There is no better strategy for impacting federal policy than advocacy. Together with service providers, state coalitions, our local and state partners, and people who have become homeless we are persuading Congress to make ending homelessness a national priority. As a result, Congress has increased funding for HUD’s McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program and severe cuts have been prevented to critical housing programs like Section 8 and the Community Development Block Grant program.
Advocates bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to the job and they are leading the movement to end homelessness. Get more involved in federal advocacy by:
- Signing up for the Advocacy Update that provides a periodic report of the latest from Congress. (All of the updates have been archived for your convenience in the Advocacy Update Archive), and
- Borrowing from the Alliance's Tips and Tools for Success, developed to help you communicate effectively with your Senators and Representatives.
Alliance's Letter to President-elect Obama
On December 16, the Alliance sent a letter to President-elect Obama urging him to adopt specific goals for ending homelessness. In January, the new Administration and Congress will take office, providing advocates with a great opportunity to help shape a national agenda that prioritizes ending homelessness.
Homelessness Counts Report: Media Campaign
Alliance’s Homelessness Research Institute will release Homelessness Counts: Changes in Homelessness from 2005 to 2007. The Alliance would like to coordinate media efforts with our state and local partners in order to increase public awareness and, ultimately, expand affordable housing and homelessness prevention efforts.To participate, please sign up by Friday, December 19 by clicking here.
Economic Recovery Campaign
We have a unique opportunity to gain new recourses for important housing and prevention strategies. Congress and the incoming Obama Administration are crafting legislation right now aimed at economic recovery and stability. Please join us in calling on them to invest in key programs to prevent future spikes in homelessness and refuel local efforts to end homelessness.
2008 Policy Guide
This policy guide provides information about the most important federal programs, policies, and legislation affecting homelessness. Key housing and homelessness topics are covered including HUD's McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs, Section 8 housing choice vouchers, and housing programs dedicated to people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
2007 Policy Guide
The National Alliance to End Homelessness has published a Policy Guide to help policymakers and advocates understand federal programs and policies regarding housing and homelessness. The 63-page guide includes information about relevant federal programs and proposals, including homelessness funding, proposals to reauthorize HUD’s McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs, and information about funding levels of mainstream housing and services programs.
Nonprofit Lobbying Guide
This resource will help you understand the dos and don’ts of nonprofit lobbying, what lobbying is, determining how your organization measures lobbying activities, and how to get more involved in Federal advocacy.
Federal Advocacy Training
The Alliance’s federal advocacy experts present Federal Advocacy Trainings at a variety of conferences and forums year round. Materials used in those trainings provide helpful information about the nuts and bolts of Federal advocacy and lobbying.
This video highlights how communities across the country are decreasing homelessness among families. Thanks to the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it’s yours to use for free. 
