Protecting the HOME Fund; You Can help!On Monday, March 12, I had the opportunity to meet with some legislative leaders to discuss the HOME Fund from a disability perspective. I was there to represent the Advocacy Initiative Network of Maine, a membership organization of customers of mental health services and the cross disability Maine Statewide Independent Living Council. I spoke about the need for housing monies to create the foundational element in the lives of Mainers, a home. I spoke of accessibility issues, home repair problems, suitable housing for appropriate service delivery. I believe I was heard. Maine People’s Alliance was represented by Kate Brennan, Lewiston housing organizer. The rest of the group were providers and developers. We all had meaningful contributions to the discussion, our very presence expressed the urgency for keeping the HOME Fund intact this year. After all, in the past two bienniums, the first 7.5 million dollars per year has gone to the General Fund and not to housing. We must keep up our efforts. Budget time gets tough, other priorities are always cropping up. Can you help us by voicing your housing support to your local legislator? The following material comes from the folks at Maine Housing. Please read it and help where you can. Your local house and senate members do listen and they will hear you if you use your voice. Dear HOME Fund supporters, Monday, (March 12) the BRED Committee took up the HOME Fund. While there was nearly unanimous support for returning the full HOME funding to affordable housing, a few members wanted to use the money to support small business initiatives instead. The Committee soundly rejected that proposal. At the conclusion of the session the Committee was unanimous in recommending to the Appropriations Committee that the HOME Fund be restored. While the BRED Committee deliberated on the HOME Fund in their work session, MaineHousing leaders and members of the HOME Fund Steering Committee met with House and Senate leaders, express support for the budget, which restores the funds to MaineHousing. The BRED committee's recommendation to the Appropriations Committee is an important step in restoring funds for housing, but other challenges remain. The next step, when the Appropriations Committee has to balance all requests for funding, will be equally difficult. Thank you for any and all contributions you have made to this effort to restore these flexible and valuable housing resources in the State's budget. Though we have made positive strides together, your continued support is needed. Below is the latest legislative alert containing talking points for your use in communicating with local legislators, House and Senate leadership, the media, and your broad network of partners. Keep up the good work!! Thanks again, MaineHousing Legislative Action Alert This information released Thursday March 15, 2007 by Maine Housing (formerly Maine State Housing Authority). “This week, The Business Research and Economic Development (BRED) Committee unanimously endorsed returning the full HOME Fund to MaineHousing. The committee action follows a joint public hearing on the measure with the Appropriations Committee last Friday, and a BRED Committee work session Monday. Our greatest challenge will be coming out on top among many competing budget priorities. Your continued support will make all the difference. Keep spreading the word! Everyone can… Contact your local Senators and Representatives Send an email to those in your network Write a Letter to the Editor Agencies can also… Here are some key Message Points: In order to utilize our bonding ability, we need subsidy and the HOME Fund is that subsidy. Nearly 40% of HOME Funds are spent on people who are homeless, which makes sense since their housing requires grants, not loans. We’ve exhausted our creative financing options and now the cupboard is bare. Here are the creative ways we maximized our limited housing resources over the past 4 years:
Legislative support for the HOME Fund is strong. 031607 |