As homelessness has become more visible, it has also gained attention from lawmakers at every level of government. More often than not, lawmakers and those calling for action do not understand how people become homeless, the sheer lack of resources available to serve them, or the work that is already happening in their communities. As a result, the strategies that lawmakers and vocal community members propose may lead to further harm to those experiencing homelessness in their communities.
Threats against people experiencing homelessness – and threats against the evidence-based approaches proven to solve it – continue to evolve and multiply. To combat this, everyone working to end homelessness must use their voices and spheres of influence to advocate on behalf of their unhoused neighbors.
Who Can Advocate?
The Alliance is preparing to host Capitol Hill Day during its July conference in Washington, D.C., and often hears concerns from attendees that they are not permitted to participate because of the type of organization that they work for. But that’s not always the case.
People and organizations face real and perceived barriers to connecting with decision-makers, from lack of time and resources to fears associated with losing their 501(c)(3) status. However, the rules around how nonprofit employees or organizations may or may not engage in advocacy are often not as cut and dry as people may assume.
The Alliance’s How to Advocate to Your Lawmaker course provides tips and guidance related to the rules around lobbying and advocacy, so that everyone is able to better understand the roles they can play in this effort. The course includes an overview of advocacy and lobbying (and the distinctions between the two), how to make an ask of your lawmaker, how to work with a lawmaker and their staff, and how to keep the advocacy process going.
If you aren’t able to make it to Capitol Hill Day, then please make sure you are signed up for the Alliance’s Advocacy Alerts, where the Alliance shares opportunities throughout the year to take action on preventing and ending homelessness in your community.
Thank You!
We appreciate you so much for all you do every day to ensure that everyone has a home. The Alliance’s advocacy and grassroots efforts rely on your knowledge and expertise—we could not do this work without you. We are all in this together.