Finding Funds to Fight Recession-Related Homelessness in IL
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
July 21, 2010
CHICAGO - Some believe homelessness in Illinois could become an even greater problem if members of a Congressional committee fail to allocate sufficient funding for programs to help people keep roofs over their heads.
Bob Palmer, policy director for Housing Action Illinois, says funding is needed for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program, the federal government's main homelessness prevention initiative. If it is not allocated promptly, he worries that many Illinois residents will feel a direct impact.
"There will be fewer resources to create new housing and so, in this recessionary environment, we need to create new housing just to keep up with the number of new people who are experiencing homelessness."
In Congress, the House Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to vote on a budget for the grants this week. An Illinois Senator could play a key role in securing the funding, he adds.
"He signed on to a 'Dear Colleague' letter that was circulated in the Senate, so we're really looking to Senator Durbin now to continue his advocacy as we reach the deadline for trying to get this increase."
Palmer feels the full allocation for the programs, about $2.4 billion, is necessary, although he acknowledges that many recent spending bills have been blocked by Republicans concerned about the increasing budget deficit.