Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County

***ACTION ALERT:
SUPPORT NEEDED FOR THE HOUSING TRUST FUND***

The House-Senate appropriations conference committee will determine funding for the Housing Trust Fund this TUESDAY, MAY 5!

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE COULD DRAMATICALLY INCREASE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND FOR INNOVATIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THE ELDERLY AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
But in order to make it happen, we need you to take action!

The House has approved appx. $50 million over the biennium, plus $20 million in the Article 11 "wish list." The Senate has approved just a $5 million increase, plus $20 million in the "wish list." We need to encourage the conference committee to support the House appropriations, PLUS the $20 million in the wish list.

Action Items:
· If your Representative or Senator is on the conference committee, please call that member and encourage their support of the Housing Trust Fund. Ask them to support the House appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund, as well as the $20 million in the Article 11 "wish list," or at least $35 million per year in funding.

Talking Points for Callers:
· Introduce yourself and your organization
· Highlight that your organization serves the Senator’s/ Representative's constituents
· State that funding for the Housing Trust Fund is in Article 7.
· Encourage the Senator’s/ Representative's support of the House appropriations bill's funding for the Housing Trust Fund. Ask them to also support the $20 million from the Article 11 "wish list" that is in both the House and Senate versions.
· Thank the staffer for their time and for passing this message along to the Senator / Representative

House-Senate Appropriations Conference Committee

Senate Chair: Senator Steve Ogden (Brazos, Burleson, Freestone, Grimes, Houston, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Trinity, Walker, Williamson)
Phone: 512-463-0105, or 512-463-0370 to speak to Senate Finance aide Laura Kolstad

Senator charged with Article 7 (Housing Trust Fund): Florence Shapiro (Collin, Dallas)
Phone: 512-463-0108 (aide is Mike Kamerlander)

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Brooks, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Nueces)
Phone: 512-463-0120 (aide is Jerry Haddican)

Senator Royce West (Dallas)
Phone: 512-463-0123 (aide is Tim Thetford)

Senator Tommy Williams (Chambers, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange)
Phone: 512-463-0104 (aide is Jason Baxter)

House Chair: Jim Pitts (Ellis, Hill)
Phone: 512-463-0516 (aide is Todd Kercheval)

Rep. charged with Article 7: Ruth Jones McClendon (Bexar)
Phone: 512-463-0708 (aide is Janis Reinken)

Rep. Richard Raymond (Webb)
Phone: 512-463-0558 (aide is Jesus "Chuy" Gonzalez)

Rep. John Otto (Liberty, Montgomery, Polk)
Phone: 512-463-0570 (aide is Nikki Dawson)

Rep. John Zerwas (Fort Bend, Waller, Wharton)
Phone: 512-463-0657 (aide is Brad Westmoreland)

For more information, you may also contact Kristin Carlisle at 512-477-8910 x4 or at kristin@texashousing.org.