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The second hearing for the Continuum of Care (CoC) lawsuit is scheduled in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island. The judge will consider arguments on plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction.
Go Deeper: Read about previous developments around the lawsuit and HUD’s withdrawal of the NOFO (just before the first hearing on December 8) in past editions.
In Washtenaw County, 94% of CoC funding is allocated to Permanent Housing which includes Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-Housing. This is still not enough, and we are in need of more permanent housing resources! Instead, HUD wants to support transitional housing that requires forced-treatment and forced-detention. This is a step backwards to programs that were ineffective and more expensive. More than 800 people in Washtenaw County could lose their housing, as $7 million in CoC funding for permanent housing is at risk.
Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing providers (TAAHP) released information that Texas would stand to lose approximately $114.6 million in CoC funding statewide, along with nearly 9,700 permanent housing beds.
California’s Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency estimates the loss of more than $250 to $300 million annually for permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing.
Call to Action: The National Alliance to End Homelessness put out an updated advocacy guide urging Congress to include language in any final THUD appropriations bill that would extend funding for previously awarded projects for another 12 months.
In addition, now is the time to ask local funders and elected officials for more support for housing and food programs.
Request that local funders and officials strategize to create a coordinated funding response to support residents who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity to bridge federal funding gaps. You can give public comment at meetings, or reach out directly via email or phone.