Watch the Florida Coalition for the Homeless Video! Let's wake up Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature! No more homeless children in Florida!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
To those who have already completed the 2011 Homeless Count Survey - Thank you.
There is still time for everyone who has not completed the survey to do so. Your input is valued and needed by the Coalition staff to improve the experience and process for the 2013 Homeless Count.
Please take a few minutes to let us know what worked and what didn't, and offer suggestions on how to make the count better.
Click Here to take the Survey
Thanks you again to all our volunteers! We couldn't do the Homeless Count without you!
Please take a few minutes to let us know what worked and what didn't, and offer suggestions on how to make the count better.
Click Here to take the Survey
Thanks you again to all our volunteers! We couldn't do the Homeless Count without you!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
ACTION ALERT
Stop Budget Cuts - Call Representatives and Senators on Key Budget Committees by MONDAY!!!
As most of you are aware, Florida Governor Scott's budget proposes to eliminate all funding for homeless grants, programs and services, the Florida Office on Homelessness and Governor's Council and to actually purge the enacting legislation from the Florida Statutes. If successful, Florida would be one of only two states (the other being Wyoming) without a state Office on Homelessness, and would wipe out ten years of legislative progress addressing the plight of homelessness in our communities.
I know we all recognize the fiscal challenges facing our State and our local communities, but we must react with intelligence, compassion and a clear sense of the costs of our actions.
The Florida Coalition for the Homeless and our partner organization stand ready to work with Florida legislators throughout the appropriations process to ensure that the most pain is not inflicted on the backs of those that are already our most vulnerable citizens.
We will work hard to make our case to at the very least, maintain the status quo in regards to current funding level, programs and services.
But, all is not yet lost, and we need your help!
This past Wednesday, DCF presented these proposed cuts to the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Chair of the Committee has asked for members' comments no later than next Tuesday, March 1st, so now is the time to make your calls!
We ask that you carve 15 minutes out of your day tomorrow, over the weekend or at the latest Monday, to place phone calls to all Subcommittee members listed in the list below. Also, legislators will be in their home districts next prior to the opening of the legislative session, providing a great opportunity to meet with them personally.
Florida House of Representatives - Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee
Hudson, Matt (R), Chair
(850) 488-1028
Matt.Hudson@myfloridahouse.gov
Roberson, Kenneth L. (R), Vice Chair
(850) 488-0060
Kenneth.Roberson@myfloridahouse.gov
Pafford, Mark S. (D), Democratic Ranking Member
(850) 488-0175
Mark.Pafford@myfloridahouse.gov
Chestnut IV, Charles S. (D)
(850) 488-5794
Charles.Chestnut@myfloridahouse.gov
Corcoran, Richard (R)
(850) 488-8528
Richard.Corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov
Cruz, Janet (D)
(850) 488-9460
Janet.Cruz@myfloridahouse.gov
Davis, Daniel (R)
(850) 488-5102
Daniel.Davis@myfloridahouse.gov
Diaz, Jose Felix (R)
(850) 488-3616
(850) 921-0761 fax
(305) 488-6802 fax
Jose.Diaz@myfloridahouse.gov
Frishe, James C. (R)
(850) 488-9960
James.Frishe@myfloridahouse.gov
Harrell, Gayle B. (R)
(850) 488-8749
Gail.Harrell@myfloridahouse.gov
Randolph, Scott (D)
(850) 488-0660
Scott.Randolph@myfloridahouse.gov
Schwartz, Elaine J. (D)
(850) 488-0465
Elaine.Schwartz@myfloridahouse.gov
Steube, W. Gregory (R)
(850) 488-6341
Greg.Steube@myfloridahouse.gov
Wood, John (R)
(850) 488-2721
John.Wood@myfloridahouse.gov
Young, Dana D. (R)
(850) 488-2770
Dana.Young@myfloridahouse.gov
DCF presented the proposed cuts to the Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee the week before, and I also urge you to contact these Senate members listed below.
Our Tallahassee-based advocate informs me that the Senate side is going to be all the more challenging to turn around, but I would start with Sen. Negron who chairs the Subcommittee, Sen. Gaetz and Sen. Oelrich as I understand that have expressed concern for homeless children and veterans. Any local information you can present to them in regard to these two subpopulations may be particular helpful in swaying their consideration and garnering their support for our position.
Florida Senate-Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations
Senator Joe Negron (R), Chair
(850) 487-5088
negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Nan H. Rich (D) , Vice Chair
(850) 487-5103
(954) 747-7935 fax
rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Don Gaetz (R)
(850) 487-5009
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Rene Garcia (R)
(850) 487-5106
(305) 634-3110 fax
garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Steve Oelrich (R)
(850) 487-5020
oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Garrett Richter (R)
(850) 487-5124
richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Eleanor Sobel (D)
(850) 487-5097
sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov
Remember: Be passionate but polite!
Governor Scott's budget proposal low-lights:
1) eliminates all Challenge Grant funding which supports local homeless and prevention services. This year 28 continuums received a total of $2,031,354 to provide these desperately needed services.
2) eliminates all staffing grants for local homeless coalitions. This year homeless coalitions each received $12,600 each to support office operations with a total of $345,729 provided state-wide.
3) eliminates the Office on Homelessness along with two (2) staff positions and funding for the Governor's Council on Homelessness. This year the funding level is $436,353 to provide the state support necessary to make local CoCs and coalitions successful.
4) eliminates the Homeless Housing Assistance Grant program. This year $3 million was granted to 6 local communities to create 348 units of housing for homeless individuals and families.
5) does not restore the Homeless Grant-in-Aid program which had provided 80% of all state funding to local coalitions until de-funded 2 years ago.
6) prohibits state funding from being used to support Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Programs throughout the state.
7) raids and eliminates the state's (Sadowski) affordable housing trust fund; instead an estimated $37.5 million in documentary stamp revenue in the trust fund for 2011-2012 would be swept into the General Revenue.
8) and in the final blow, the Governor's proposal repeals the authorizing legislation for the State Office of Homelessness, the Council on Homelessness, Challenge Grant program and Homeless Housing Assistance Grant program. If adopted, these innovative, progressive Florida homeless initiatives--10 years in the making--would come to an end on July 1, 2011.
Thank you for your dedication to continuing to serve those most in need in our community.
As most of you are aware, Florida Governor Scott's budget proposes to eliminate all funding for homeless grants, programs and services, the Florida Office on Homelessness and Governor's Council and to actually purge the enacting legislation from the Florida Statutes. If successful, Florida would be one of only two states (the other being Wyoming) without a state Office on Homelessness, and would wipe out ten years of legislative progress addressing the plight of homelessness in our communities.
I know we all recognize the fiscal challenges facing our State and our local communities, but we must react with intelligence, compassion and a clear sense of the costs of our actions.
The Florida Coalition for the Homeless and our partner organization stand ready to work with Florida legislators throughout the appropriations process to ensure that the most pain is not inflicted on the backs of those that are already our most vulnerable citizens.
We will work hard to make our case to at the very least, maintain the status quo in regards to current funding level, programs and services.
But, all is not yet lost, and we need your help!
This past Wednesday, DCF presented these proposed cuts to the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Chair of the Committee has asked for members' comments no later than next Tuesday, March 1st, so now is the time to make your calls!
We ask that you carve 15 minutes out of your day tomorrow, over the weekend or at the latest Monday, to place phone calls to all Subcommittee members listed in the list below. Also, legislators will be in their home districts next prior to the opening of the legislative session, providing a great opportunity to meet with them personally.
Florida House of Representatives - Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee
Hudson, Matt (R), Chair
(850) 488-1028
Matt.Hudson@myfloridahouse.gov
Roberson, Kenneth L. (R), Vice Chair
(850) 488-0060
Kenneth.Roberson@myfloridahouse.gov
Pafford, Mark S. (D), Democratic Ranking Member
(850) 488-0175
Mark.Pafford@myfloridahouse.gov
Chestnut IV, Charles S. (D)
(850) 488-5794
Charles.Chestnut@myfloridahouse.gov
Corcoran, Richard (R)
(850) 488-8528
Richard.Corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov
Cruz, Janet (D)
(850) 488-9460
Janet.Cruz@myfloridahouse.gov
Davis, Daniel (R)
(850) 488-5102
Daniel.Davis@myfloridahouse.gov
Diaz, Jose Felix (R)
(850) 488-3616
(850) 921-0761 fax
(305) 488-6802 fax
Jose.Diaz@myfloridahouse.gov
Frishe, James C. (R)
(850) 488-9960
James.Frishe@myfloridahouse.gov
Harrell, Gayle B. (R)
(850) 488-8749
Gail.Harrell@myfloridahouse.gov
Randolph, Scott (D)
(850) 488-0660
Scott.Randolph@myfloridahouse.gov
Schwartz, Elaine J. (D)
(850) 488-0465
Elaine.Schwartz@myfloridahouse.gov
Steube, W. Gregory (R)
(850) 488-6341
Greg.Steube@myfloridahouse.gov
Wood, John (R)
(850) 488-2721
John.Wood@myfloridahouse.gov
Young, Dana D. (R)
(850) 488-2770
Dana.Young@myfloridahouse.gov
DCF presented the proposed cuts to the Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee the week before, and I also urge you to contact these Senate members listed below.
Our Tallahassee-based advocate informs me that the Senate side is going to be all the more challenging to turn around, but I would start with Sen. Negron who chairs the Subcommittee, Sen. Gaetz and Sen. Oelrich as I understand that have expressed concern for homeless children and veterans. Any local information you can present to them in regard to these two subpopulations may be particular helpful in swaying their consideration and garnering their support for our position.
Florida Senate-Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations
Senator Joe Negron (R), Chair
(850) 487-5088
negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Nan H. Rich (D) , Vice Chair
(850) 487-5103
(954) 747-7935 fax
rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Don Gaetz (R)
(850) 487-5009
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Rene Garcia (R)
(850) 487-5106
(305) 634-3110 fax
garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Steve Oelrich (R)
(850) 487-5020
oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Garrett Richter (R)
(850) 487-5124
richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Eleanor Sobel (D)
(850) 487-5097
sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov
Remember: Be passionate but polite!
Governor Scott's budget proposal low-lights:
1) eliminates all Challenge Grant funding which supports local homeless and prevention services. This year 28 continuums received a total of $2,031,354 to provide these desperately needed services.
2) eliminates all staffing grants for local homeless coalitions. This year homeless coalitions each received $12,600 each to support office operations with a total of $345,729 provided state-wide.
3) eliminates the Office on Homelessness along with two (2) staff positions and funding for the Governor's Council on Homelessness. This year the funding level is $436,353 to provide the state support necessary to make local CoCs and coalitions successful.
4) eliminates the Homeless Housing Assistance Grant program. This year $3 million was granted to 6 local communities to create 348 units of housing for homeless individuals and families.
5) does not restore the Homeless Grant-in-Aid program which had provided 80% of all state funding to local coalitions until de-funded 2 years ago.
6) prohibits state funding from being used to support Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Programs throughout the state.
7) raids and eliminates the state's (Sadowski) affordable housing trust fund; instead an estimated $37.5 million in documentary stamp revenue in the trust fund for 2011-2012 would be swept into the General Revenue.
8) and in the final blow, the Governor's proposal repeals the authorizing legislation for the State Office of Homelessness, the Council on Homelessness, Challenge Grant program and Homeless Housing Assistance Grant program. If adopted, these innovative, progressive Florida homeless initiatives--10 years in the making--would come to an end on July 1, 2011.
Thank you for your dedication to continuing to serve those most in need in our community.
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