Michelle, Bobbie, Rep. Garcia, Terry Michelle, Bobbie, Rep. Stafford, Terry
WELCOME TO MCH’S LEGISLATIVE ACTION PAGE!
Federal Legislative Action
MCH keeps up with funding for homeless and affordable housing programs, and other federal legislation affecting the homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
State Legislative Action
The Florida Legislature meets for two months each calendar year – usually in March and April - but this year (2012), it is meeting in January and February.
During the legislative session, MCH puts out action alerts regarding programs for the homeless and affordable housing.
HOMELESS PREVENTION
Sadowski Trust Fund – Full Funding of Affordable Homes!
- Building homes creates jobs and puts money into Florida’s economy.
- If this year’s Sadowski Trust Fund money is used to build and renovate homes, it will create 9,000 jobs and have a total economic impact of $900 million ($50 million in Miami-Dade County).
- Working families, veterans and youth need homes they can afford.
- Please support using Sadowski Funds to build homes for Floridians!
Help Youth – Support SB 434 (Rich)/HB 417 (Glorioso)
- Florida youth aging out of foster care are ill prepared for independent living and often become homeless.
- $4 million in additional federal moneys are available to improve services to Florida foster youth over the age of 18.
- Please support SB 434/HB 417 to access federal money and improve services for foster care youth.
Fair Wages – Oppose SB 862(Simmons)/HB 609(Goodson)
- Non-payment of wages is a substantial problem for low-income workers and results in poverty and homelessness.
- In February 2010, Miami-Dade County enacted an ordinance to administratively arbitrate wage disputes between employers and employees.
- Between February 2010 and September 2011, almost $800,000 ($798,288) in lost wages were recovered from employers for workers in Miami-Dade County.
- SB 862/HB 609 would strike down existing protections in Miami-Dade County and make it illegal for local jurisdictions to deal with this problem.
HOMELESS SERVICES
Help the Neediest – Support Full Homeless Services Funding
- Florida homeless shelters are struggling to meet their communities’ needs during the economic downturn.
- Families that have always paid their rent have lost their jobs, are now unable to manage and ending up on the street.
- The House Budget recommends $0 to fund local homeless coalitions.
- This would devastate local community efforts to help the homeless at a time when there is a great need for services.
- Please support the Senate’s reinstatement of homeless funding at last year’s level.
Homeless Aid – Support SB 1130 (Storms)/ HB 531 (Reed)
- Many Floridians are losing their homes to foreclosure; many others are being evicted.
- Our homeless assistance centers are experiencing an unprecedented demand for services, while their funding is proposed to be cut.
- Please support a voluntary $1 contribution box on driver’s license and vehicle registration applications.
Help Youth – Support SB1662(Latvala)/ HB1351(Glorioso)
- Under current Florida law, unaccompanied homeless minors are unable to obtain their birth certificates.
- A birth certificate is required to prove citizenship, to obtain jobs, and for many other purposes.
- Please support amending Florida law to allow certified unaccompanied homeless youth aged 16 or older to obtain a copy of their birth certificate.
