In the last year, NLIHC’s influence – expressed through our leadership of multiple campaigns, mobilization of networks of advocates and impacted people, leveraging of high-quality policy research and analysis, and connections to decision-makers in Congress and within the administration – has had significant impacts on key policy initiatives.
After successfully mobilizing thousands of advocates to secure $46 billion in emergency rental assistance last year, we worked throughout 2021 and 2022 with the Biden-Harris administration, advocates, impacted people, and ERA program administrators to get those resources distributed to those most in need. To date, more than 7 million ERA payments have been made, and millions of evictions have been prevented.
NLIHC worked with partners to get more than 150 new renter protections passed in states and jurisdictions around the country and help states and cities invest more than $16.1 billion of their American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in housing and homelessness solutions.
But as pandemic protections expire and emergency resources are depleted, low-income renters are struggling more than ever in the face of high inflation, increased rents, eviction filing rates that are reaching or surpassing pre-pandemic averages, and, in many communities, increasing homelessness. Every $100 increase in median monthly rent is associated with a 9% increase in homelessness. Last year, monthly rents increased on average by 14%, or nearly $200, nationally. In some cities, rents rose by as much as 40%.
Increasing homelessness – especially unsheltered homelessness – is creating a concerning backlash against people experiencing homelessness and the solutions to get and keep them stably housed. Efforts to criminalize homelessness are increasing in some communities, and some policy makers are vilifying the proven approach of Housing First, which has for years enjoyed strong bipartisan support.
Please contribute to NLIHC so we can respond to these challenges and continue advancing towards housing justice.
Visit https://nlihc.org/donate to support NLIHC and our partners! Or give the gift of connection and/or financial support directly to NLIHC’s state and local partners in your area doing critical on-the-ground work.
Thank you for your support and your advocacy!