National Council on Independent Living ACTION ALERT!
Support National Housing Justice Day on May 26, 2005
May, 2005

Housing has been a top priority for NCIL members for several years - and with the threat of budget cuts and legislation that could undermine the availability of accessible affordable housing for years to come, the time to act is NOW!!! This is why NCIL's Housing Subcommittee is urging you to turn out and/or support National Housing Justice Day activities in your part of the country.

Advocates intend to remind the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and policymakers of the need for HUD to adhere to its core mission and abandon policy initiatives that would undercut fair housing protections and/or the availability of accessible, affordable housing that meets the needs of persons with disabilities and facilitates implementation of the Olmstead decision. HUD's mission statement reads as follows

"HUD's mission is to increase home ownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships--particularly with faith-based and community organizations--that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level."

Please find below information on National Housing Justice Day events in Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Portland, OR, Topeka, KS and Washington D.C. Information for these events follows this alert. Events are also planned tomorrow for the New England region and other locations. If at all possible, NCIL encourages you to take part in, and/or support, these important advocacy efforts. Alternately, please take this opportunity to contact your elected officials and urge them to take necessary steps to defeat S 771/ H 1999 and to promote an increased commitment in funding resources to Section 8 Housing, CDBG, fair housing and other key programs. Policymakers are responding to our concerns and HUD's proposals are coming under growing criticism. Advocacy now can make a major difference!

HOUSING JUSTICE DAY LOCATIONS & CONTACTS ATLANTA, GA:
Thursday May 26 12:00 Noon till 2 PM at the Federal HUD office (at the corner of Marietta St and Forsyth St downtown near the Points train station).
Contact: Email Cherie Johnson.

CHICAGO,IL:
Event TBA in June, 2005.
Contact: Email Darrell Price or phone (312) 253-7000.

PORTLAND, OR:
Thursday, May 26 at 12:00 Noon.
Portland City Hall 1221 SW Fourth Ave. [ASL & Spanish Translation available]
Contact: Email Michael Anderson or phone (503) 335-9884.

TOPEKA, KS:
Thursday, May 26th at 12 noon on the South Lawn of the State Capitol.
Contact: Email Becca Vaughn or phone (785) 233-4572-v/tty or 1-800-443-2207.

WASHINGTON, DC:
Thursday, May 26 at 12 Noon at HUD Headquarters - 451 7th St SW (metro: L'ENFANT PLAZA)
Contact: Email Marjorie Rifkin.

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