U.S. Poverty Weekly Update May 14, 2019
Quote of the Week
“We need to stop the causes of homelessness nationally and that is where our calls and letters to our representatives will help.”
– RESULTS Snohomish, WA volunteer Willie Dickerson in an May 9 letter to the editor in the Bainbridge Island Review
Got Two to Eight Minutes? Register for the RESULTS Conference Before the Early Bird Expires Tomorrow!
Only one day left! That’s how much time you have to register for the RESULTS International Conference before the Early Bird registration rate expires. This year’s Conference is going to be one of our best with new extended, in-depth workshops, a growing list of exciting speakers, and the exhilarating experience of making your voice heard on Capitol Hill. And of course, the opportunity to meet, reunite, and collaborate with amazing advocates from all over the world. Quite frankly, it’s where you want to be July 13-16 this year.
And why not save yourself a few bucks to get there. The Early Bird discounted registration rate is available through tomorrow, May 15.
TAKE ACTION: Take two minutes (if you have autofill) or a little longer to register for the RESULTS International Conference. Take advantage of the Early Bird registration rate before it expires. Go to www.resultsconference.org and register today! And if you are a current, active RESULTS volunteer and need a some extra help getting to the Conference, apply for Gap Funding to help with travel expenses.
Got Ten Minutes? Make Local Connections to Lift Up Housing Needs (May Action)
Thank you to Joey Lindstrom of the Low-Income Housing Coalition for his excellent presentation on last week’s U.S. Poverty National Webinar. On the webinar, Joey highlighted that before the mid-1970s, homelessness was not a widespread problem in the U.S. We had a surplus of available, affordable housing. But that’s all changed now. Wages have stagnated, housing is now in short supply and prices have skyrocketed, and investments in housing assistance have been cut. As a result, we are now in a housing crisis of our own making.
Connecting with local advocates about housing – the focus of our May U.S. Poverty Action – is critical in making housing an issue lawmakers cannot ignore. Allies to help you educate people about the need and motivate them to do something about it. And thankfully, there are allies in communities across the country – shelters, local housing authorities, advocacy groups, faith communities – who care about homelessness and want your help. Reach out to them today.
TAKE ACTION: Take ten minutes to continue your outreach to local housing allies. The May Action has resources to help you, including a “community mapping” exercise, suggestions on where to start, and a sample e-mail introducing yourself to new allies. Also, remember that relationships take time, so don’t put pressure on yourself to get everything done by May 31. For now, make a goal of reaching out to 5 local groups this month and meeting with 3 of them. Then go from there. If you need help, please contact Jos Linn for assistance.
Got Twenty Minutes? Participate in the Housing Week of Action (May Action)
Another way to raise awareness and cultivate housing alliances is to participate in the National Low-Income Housing Coalition’s Our Homes, Our Voices Week of Action, May 30-June 5, 2019. The Week of Action, which Joey Lindstrom discussed on last week’s National Webinar, is designed to raise awareness of America’s housing crisis in communities around the country. Last year, there were 125 events. This year, we want even more. Groups have flexibility in what kind of events to hold including rallies, advocacy/issue trainings (CBPP’s newly-updated housing fact sheets are a great resource to educate people about rental assistance in your state), lobby meetings, site visits, and local call-in or write-in days. Look for events already planned in your area or plan your own and invite new allies to participate. Planning events is a great way to get to know people and demonstrate your common interests.
TAKE ACTION: Take twenty minutes to brainstorm how you can participate in the ”Our Homes, Our Voices” Week of Action. Host your own event or join one already taking place (see a list on the events page). If there is no event listed in your area, look at list of 2018 events; if there was one near you, reach out to the point of contact to ask about working together on an event this year. Our Homes, Our Voices has promotional materials, housing educational resources, and how-to’s to help you, and as does the May Action. For RESULTS materials or to discuss ideas for an event, please contact Jos Linn).
Quick News
Nominate a Journalist for the Cameron Duncan Award. RESULTS is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Cameron Duncan Media Award. This award is given each year to a journalist or editor for outstanding work on issues related to poverty. The award is named in honor of Cameron Duncan, a former associate executive director of RESULTS who devoted his life to fighting poverty. Read more about the award and how to nominate a journalist. Nominations are due by Friday, June 7.
Complete May-August Planning. Please do your May-August group planning this month using our updated online Group Summary Form to set your goals. Please submit your form by May 31.
Join the Spring Friends and Family Campaign. In May, the RESULTS Spring 2019 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaign will raise funds to train and equip volunteer advocates and support the staff who provide you with research and expertise on our issues. Join the campaign today!
Apply for REAL Change. We are still accepting applications for the 2019-20 REAL Change Fellowship class. If you or someone you know want to be part of the next class of young RESULTS leaders, apply for the REAL Change Fellowship today.
Proposed HUD Rule Would Take Housing from Immigrant Families. On May 10, HUD proposed a new rule that would prohibit “mixed status” households (the immigration status of all members is not the same) from participating in housing assistance programs, including public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. This proposed rule would force 55,000 children from their homes, cost additional money, and cause immigrant families to forego assistance out of fear. Many groups have opposed the rule and plan to submit public comments against the proposed changes. RESULTS opposes the rule and, when available, will share resources for you to submit comments.
Administration Proposes New Definition of Poverty. The Trump Administration has announced its desire to change the way poverty is calculated in the US. RESULTS and our allies are concerned that the change could reduce or eliminate benefits for families that currently need and receive government support. The proposed rule is currently out for public comment until June 21 and RESULTS will be submitting an organizational comment in response.
Show Support for Tax Credits for Working Families. S. 1138, the Working Families Tax Relief Act, would substantially expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), benefitting 114 million people. 46 senators and more than 80 national organizations have signed in in support. Add your local RESULTS group onto the list today!
Upcoming Events
May 1-May 31: RESULTS Spring Fundraising Campaign. Sign up to participate today.
Thursday, May 16: Quiet Leadership Book Club, 9:00 pm ET. To join, go to https://results.zoom.us/j/482992263. You can also join by phone at (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, meeting ID 482 992 263.
Tuesday, May 21, U.S. Poverty Free Agents Calls, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/324294681 or dial by phone at (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 324 294 681.
Wednesday May 22 (8:30pm ET), RESULTS New Advocate Orientation. Get started at: https://results.salsalabs.org/volunteer/index.html.
Monday, May 27, Memorial Day holiday. All RESULTS offices closed.
Monday, May 27-Friday, May 31: Congressional Recess. Submit your meeting requests today.
Tuesday, June 4: RESULTS National Webinar with Hahrie Han, 8:00 pm ET. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/873308801 or dial (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 873 308 801. Find recordings and slides from previous webinars on the National Webinars page.
Saturday, July 13-Tuesday, July 16, 2019: RESULTS International Conference. Register today at www.resultsconference.org!
Find other events on the RESULTS Events Calendar.
Other Resources
Learn more about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.
Do you have a new person in your RESULTS group or info to update? Use our Volunteer Information Form to add them.
Report lobby meetings in our Lobby Report Form and report any published media in our Grassroots Media Form.
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for the RESULTS/REF Board, please e-mail Steven McGee at [email protected]. View Board minutes and Annual Reports (our new digital 2018 Annual Report is now available).
RESULTS Staff directory.