**ATTEN. CALL TO ACTION! Help Save Low Income Housing

[Sugarbleus]

Interested DUer's,

I connected with a group in MY area on the issues of housing. Some of the data represents OUR crisis BUT the overall message and activism asked for herein applies to all citizens across the country dealing with affordable housing and Bush's Budget. If you can, please forward this info and do what you can in terms of protesting the Bush FY06 Budget Proposal..especially if you are among those who depend on help with your housing issues.
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***Please forward this message to everyone and anyone who will be willing to help***

CALL TO ACTION FOR EVERYONE INTERESTED IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING:



Urge Members of Congress: REJECT the President's FY06 Budget Proposal during BUDGET CALL-IN DAYS, February 23 and 24, 2005!!


As you are aware, the budget proposal for 2006, and its accompanying 5-Year Plan, has devastating consequences for all domestic social programs. The disabled, elderly, and working families will be hit hard by cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Developments budget. Hundreds of key housing programs will be cut or eliminated, such as Housing for Persons with Disabilities (section 811), which is threatened to be cut in HALF!!!, and the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which has been vital to communities across the nation for 30 years by funding critical programs such as clinics, daycares, senior centers, shelters, and other essential components of a community now facing the prospects of ZERO FUNDING for 2006.



In addition to cutting these key low-income programs, the President proposes 5-Year spending caps that would freeze funding for low-income programs at low 2006 funding levels. Although the 2006 proposal restores approximately 50% of the 80,000 vouchers cut Nationwide in 2005, the 5-Year spending cap will force Housing Authorities to cut far more than that by the year 2010. The state of California alone will see a cut in 52,925 families from the Section 8 program in 2010 in addition to the 12,027 families cut in 2005. The Counties of Santa Cruz and Monterey face the elimination of 671 families each from their Voucher programs, including 175 disabled Voucher holders, 121 elderly Voucher holders for Santa Cruz County and 148 disabled Voucher holders, 174 elderly Voucher holders for Monterey County. The County of Santa Clara faces the elimination of 1,673 families from the program, including 284 disabled Voucher holders and 552 elderly Voucher holders. (This data is based on an analysis by the Center on Budget Policies and Priorities).



Congress is on a budget fast track and will attempt to begin work on a budget by March 7. Use the February 23 and 24 Budget Call-In Days to voice opposition to the President's budget!!!



What can you do on February 23rd and 24th:


1. Call 1-888-818-6641 and ask to be connected to their offices

2. Ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant responsible for Budget Issues

3. Call again to speak to your Senators' offices

4. Contact Sam Finkelstein at [e-mail] to let him know

the results of your calls.

5. Forward this to everyone who will make calls. Ask your friends, family, clients, and contacts to make calls!!!



The Message:



Representative/Senator, "please oppose the President's FY06 budget proposal:



The overall funding level for HUD is inadequate to fund ALL housing programs. We are calling for an increase in the entire HUD budget!!
The proposed budget will cap spending on housing programs and other key low income programs, causing a deeper cut to vital low income programs over time.
The proposed budget protects tax cuts for the wealthy, while gouging low income programs. You MUST oppose the President's FY06 budget!!!!!!!


Sam Finkelstein
Housing Choices Coalition
PO Box 1591
Soquel, Ca. 95073
[phone] - office
[phone] - cell
www.housingchoices.com

[Sugarbleus]

1. Soooooo, NO takers??

No one interested in their own survival here in DU? Well, I"m not letting the opportunity pass.

It's like the old adage: You can't bitch if you don't particpate...

Good luck..