This year’s Capitol Hill Day will take place Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Last year, more than 1,200 advocates from dozens of states participated virtually in Capitol Hill Day. The Alliance is hoping for continued success as we return to in-person visits in Washington this year. We can’t ensure the issue of homelessness is on Congress’s radar without YOUR help!
Please read the below information for details on Capitol Hill Day. Remember to check this page regularly, as resources will be added above in the lead up to the event. More details about Capitol Hill Day and how you can get involved will be shared as the conference gets closer.
What is Capitol Hill Day?
Capitol Hill Day is one of the most important ways to engage in federal advocacy to help end homelessness. Through face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress and their staff, you have an opportunity to establish and build relationships with Congressional offices, educate elected officials on success and progress at home, and encourage them to work in support of policy initiatives to eliminate homelessness.
The Alliance welcomes everyone to participate, including Continuum of Care (CoC) leads, front-line staff, lived experience advocates, local and governmental officials and others involved in ending homelessness. It is important to have equitable and diverse representation at Capitol Hill meetings.
Is Capitol Hill Day for Me?
You don’t need any special skills in policy or advocacy to participate in Capitol Hill Day – you only need to share information about homelessness and your perspective on the work you do each day. The Alliance and designated State Coordinators from your state will provide you with resources and talking points to help you prepare for a great meeting. Your State Coordinator and the Alliance will also schedule your visits, and make sure you know where to go on Capitol Hill Day.
How Does Capitol Hill Day Work?
The Alliance provides Capitol Hill Day participants with a number of opportunities to get prepared, comfortable, and excited for their time on the Hill.
Before the Conference
On Monday, July 17, the Alliance will host a pre-conference session from 9am – 12pm to provide information on advocacy basics, Capitol Hill Day policy priorities, and tips and techniques for continued in-district engagement with your elected officials. Alliance staff will review these policy priorities to ensure that participants and other interested advocates have all the information necessary for successful Hill visits. They will also address key logistical questions regarding participation.
At the Conference
The Alliance will also have an Advocacy Hub at the conference, where you can pick up resources and connect with members of the Alliance’s advocacy team.
State Coordinators will hold prep sessions to prepare you and other people attending the conference from your state (also known as your delegation), for the Congressional meetings. You can find the state prep session times and locations listed on the conference app or posted near the Advocacy Hub. For questions about your state prep session and meetings, please reach out to your State Coordinator(s) directly or stop by the Advocacy Hub.
For more information about Capitol Hill Day, please email the Alliance’s National Field Organizer, Samantha Wood, at swood@naeh.org.