Sample Letter on U.S. Housing
Dear [Member of Congress],
I am writing out of concern for millions of Americans who suffer from a lack of affordable, safe and adequate housing. Since the recession has hit, the majority of assistance has gone to corporate bailouts and the needs of homeowners.
I ask that Congress pass legislation which would share this needed assistance with all areas of the housing market, especially renters and low-income households who are particularly hurt by the recession.
Funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Devel- opment decreased by at least $2 billion from 2005–2008. The result has been limited voucher assistance through Section 8 and continued depletion of public housing units.
To begin addressing these issues, I ask that you support full funding for the National Housing Trust Fund. These funds contribute directly to rentals and to the maintenance and creation of affordable housing.
I also urge you to pass legislation which mandates a one-to-one replacement of all demolished public housing units, and which provides adequate services to ensure a complete transition for households whose units are being demolished.
Sincerely,
Name and address
For a more detailed letter, visit washingtonmemo.org/newsletter/winter09.
Stories of Congregational Advocacy
Worship Service Focuses on Advocacy, Cluster Bombs
First Mennonite Church (Bluffton, Ohio) recently hosted the MCC cluster bomb display in their fellowship hall and made it available for community members to view as well. On October 18, Washington Office Director Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach spoke about advocacy to government.
The youth Sunday school class viewed the MCC video “From Harm to Hope: Standing with Cluster Bomb Survivors.” Following the service, congregants signed postcards to their Members of Congress about cluster bombs and participated in a lunch forum.
Proclaim Jubilee: A New Beginning
North Baltimore Mennonite Church (Baltimore, Md.), along with a dozen other congregations, participated in the “Abundant Life: Economic Justice for All” campaign on October 25 by devoting their worship service to learning about debt relief and signing postcards.
Many countries continue to pay millions in illegitimate debt payments when this money could be better used for health care, infrastructure, food and clean water. MCC Washington Office staff members Theo Sitther and Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach presented during the Sunday school hour and worship service.
To request a speaker for your congregation, contact the office at 202-544-6564 or mccwash@mcc.org. For a list of speaking topics, visit washington.mcc.org/resources/speaking.
