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In the midst of a pandemic that poses considerable risks for people experiencing homelessness and public displays of police brutality against people of color, this month we celebrated Juneteenth – the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people were freed in Galveston, Texas. We have witnessed a worldwide response against some of the more recent acts of violence against black bodies, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks and . . . the list goes on. These horrors remind us that that racism is woven into the fabric and institutions of this country, which explains why people of color are overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness. This situation is the result of conscious policy decisions built on slavery, Jim Crow and white supremacy. The Council has developed initiatives grounded in human rights and social justice, and while our policy priorities have long been centered on racial justice, we are recommitting to this work and we are listening. To that end, we want to advocate strongly for an agenda that works towards racial justice in homeless health care. Share your ideas and let us know how you believe the Council can advocate better for racial justice in our policy priorities around homelessness and health care. Please reach out to our Senior Director of Policy, Barbara DiPietro, at bdipietro@nhchc.org with your thoughts.
I hope you will continue to take care of yourself and your family and participate in the advocacy opportunities presented below. Our work continues.
In Solidarity,
Bobby
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Watch Charlotte Garner, NCAB steering committee member, recite her poem “I Wept” written in response to the death of George Floyd. This video is a production of NCAB steering committee member Deidre Young’s media company, Butterflies Media Creation Production.
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Police reform, coronavirus relief, and infrastructure bills compete for the spotlight: While the House passed another major $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill last month that included top priorities on homelessness and housing (see our summary of the HEROES Act), the Senate does not plan to take up this work until mid-to-late July. Meanwhile, in response to the murder of George Floyd, Congress clashes over negotiations on police reform legislation (read about the differences in the House and Senate bills). Simultaneously, House Democrats released a $1.5 trillion dollar infrastructure package which includes $70 billion to address the backlog of public housing and $5 billion for a housing trust fund (read about the bill). While this bill may spur conversations on infrastructure in the Senate it is unlikely to pass given pushback from the GOP.
Medicare for All efforts continue in partnership with the Council: While Medicare for All legislation is not expected to move in this session (see the House and Senate bills), the Medicare for All Caucus continues education and promotion efforts. See a recording of the virtual caucus meeting: The Case for Medicare for All: COVID-19 hosted by Rep. Jayapal (D-WA) and Rep. Dingell (D-MI) featuring our own Barbara DiPietro (at minute 41). Next month the Council will release new resources – including a COVID-19 Issue Brief on Medicare for All. Share your stories with us (see Take Action) to help us with our advocacy and stay tuned for more!
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| News from the Administration
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Executive Order on police reform includes homeless response tactics: Last week President Trump signed an Executive Order (read a brief explainer)that includes many measures to improve police response and prevent the death of black Americans, including incentives to utilize “co-responders” or experts in homelessness, mental health, or addiction. Advocates see this as a far cry from what is needed.
HHS announces new funds for Medicaid providers: In response to COVID-19, Congress appropriated and HHS is distributing the “provider relief fund” and recently announced $15 billion of this fund will be available to Medicaid providers. Unfortunately, organizations that already received funds through the initial release for Medicare providers are not eligible. Learn more about this fund and how to receive payments.
New CDC testing guidance and *Upcoming* Council issue brief and webinar: The CDC will be releasing new guidance for health departments that outlines factors local and state agencies can use to further inform specific policies being developed. The National HCH Council will release an issue brief that provides lessons learned and testing strategies that HCHs in five cities have found to work successfully when conducting universal testing. Register for a webinar discussion about these new resources.
USICH invites input on strategic plan to end homelessness: The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is seeking public input to revise the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. Comments may be submitted on this portal.
HUD & HHS push back transgender protections, despite Supreme Court ruling: This month HHS finalized a rule that strips discrimination protections for transgender people in health care. The Council commented on this proposal before it was finalized and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits now that it is. This month, HUD released a proposed rule that scraps Obama Administration guidance that requires shelters to accept transgender people, allowing single-sex shelters to consider biological sex— instead of self-identified gender—when making accommodations. The rule will soon be open for a 60-day public comment period and the Council will share deadlines and templates in next month’s Mobilizer. While organizations such as the ACLU assert the HHS ruling is invalidated by the latest Supreme Court ruling, there is pushback from HHS. Read more below about what the new court ruling that provides protections for transgender individuals could mean for these changes (under News from the Supreme Court).
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| News from the U.S Supreme Court
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Ruling to protect transgender individuals from job discrimination: This month the Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ people from being fired because of sex or gender identity. The ACLU asserts the HHS final rule is invalidated by the latest Supreme Court ruling, but there is pushback from HHS. Further analysis on how this rule applies to the HHS and HUD proposals (outlined above-- see News from the Administration) will be shared in next month’s Mobilizer as more analyses are released.
Ruling to protect Dreamers from deportation: This month the Supreme Court allowed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to stay in effect, preventing the deportation of approximately 700,000 offspring of immigrants (referred to as “Dreamers”). This ruling is a win for public health, as the decision will improve health outcomes for Dreamers and allow them to continue working in essential roles in health care.
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| News from National Homeless Partners
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The Council is proud to announce a partnership that works to center racial equity in efforts to end homelessness with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities, the National Innovation Service, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the Urban Institute, and former USICH directors working on community initiatives. We hope you will use this in your advocacy to end homelessness in your community. Learn about the new Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Response.
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Uncertainty remains about how the federal government will proceed with November elections, and experts warn it may be disastrous. Wade through confusion with 2020 State Primary Election Dates and the National Coalition for the Homeless’s guide You Don’t Need a Home to Vote. *New* Sign up for a webinar series from Our Homes, Our Votes (July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19) that cover various topics about voter engagement for low-income renters and those without a fixed address. The webinar on July 16 will specifically focus on voting without a fixed address.
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- Contrasting Homeless Persons' Memorial Day on the Winter Solstice, the Summer Solstice is a day filled with light. On the Summer Solstice, we celebrate those who have overcome homelessness and affirm that we can end homelessness for everyone. During this time of COVID-19 and struggles for racial justice, it is especially important to honor the strength and resilience of those who have overcome incredible barriers to end their individual experience of homelessness. It is easy to become homeless, but it is no easy task to break out of homelessness. During the Summer Solstice, we honor the accomplishments of our unhoused comrades and draw inspiration as we continue in the struggle for justice. Listen to Homeless Voices for Justice Advocate Jim Devine’s song reminding us of our shared humanity or HerStory Ensemble’s blog about Juneteenth and homelessness. Let us honor our friends and find strength together to create the political will to end homelessness for everyone.
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- NHCHC welcomes a graduate intern to bolster our work towards justice! The Council’s policy team is thrilled to welcome a summer graduate intern- Judith Park, an MSW/MPH candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. This summer Judith will be collecting consumer stories and developing new resources to help us build our anti-racism advocacy agenda and advance single-payer education (to name a few).
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Did you receive Mobilizer as a forwarded email or hear about it via social media? Register now to receive our action alerts each month!
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• Contact your Senators and tell them to ensure homelessness resources are in the next COVID-19 relief bill! The House passed the HEROES Act, which includes top priorities on homelessness and housing, and we need the Senate to do the same. Use the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s simple tool to submit a letter to your Senator.
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• Sign a letter calling for housing protections during and after COVID-19! Health care workers and organizations are invited to sign on a letter to governors and health officials asking them to keep people in their homes and protect public health.
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We need YOU to submit a quote or story!
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Real perspective from consumers, providers, and administrators in the HCH community is key to effective advocacy that illustrates what really needs to change in order to address inequities and end homelessness. The Council needs to hear from you on how your experience with COVID-19 illustrated the need for improvements in our health care system, and from consumers on how racism impacts health. See more below on what we're looking for and how you can get in contact with us.
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• About how your experience with COVID-19 illustrates the need for a better health care system: In light of conversation on Capitol Hill on single payer (see News from Capitol Hill), we are collecting stories on how your experience during COVID-19 illustrates the failures of our current system and the need for change.
Providers, administrators, and consumers, send us your thoughts or set up a quick 15-minute interview—no policy expertise required! Contact Regina at rreed@nhchc.org with your written perspective or to set up a 15-minute phone interview.
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• About how your experience with racism has made a difference on your health and experience of homelessness: To advocate for policies addressing racial inequalities in housing and healthcare, we are collecting stories from consumers who identify as a person of color about how racism has impacted their health and/or experience of homelessness. Please Contact Judith Park at JHan1@umaryland.edu to set up a 40-60 minute interview.
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This publication and all HCH advocacy are funded by dues from Organizational Members of the Council and by private donations. Consider joining the Council to support this work.
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