Homelessness stems from a lack of affordable housing. Increasing rents, destruction of traditional low-income housing, and cuts in federal housing programs threaten affordable housing with extinction.

Ø       The foreclosure and economic crisis are significantly increasing homelessness and the number of families at risk of homelessness in cities and counties across the nation.

o        The Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has said that he is hearing of preliminary data from cities and organizations showing homelessness increases of as much as 20%.

o        Reuters has reported that local and state homeless groups have seen a 61% rise in homelessness since the foreclosure crisis began in 2007.

o        On March 27, 2008, CBS News reported that 38% of foreclosures involved rental properties, affecting at least 168,000 households.

o        The Sarasota, Florida, Herald Tribune has said that, by some estimates, more than 311,000 tenants nationwide have been evicted from homes this year after lenders took over the properties.

o        The Boston Herald has reported that eviction filings in Massachusetts rose by 15% in the past quarter alone. 

Ø       NLCHP's Housing Program is dedicated to increasing housing resources for homeless people in both urban and rural communities. We advocate for an increase in federal funding for permanent, low-income housing.

Ø       Title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 makes vacant federal properties available at no cost to non-profits, including state and local government agencies, for use as facilities to assist homeless people.

o        NLCHP was instrumental in the Act's passage, and has helped enforce Title V for the last sixteen years

o        NLCHP continues to monitor compliance with the court's orders and helps non-profits and government agencies obtain federal properties.

o        To date, the federal government has transferred land and buildings worth over $100,000 million to providers to serve homeless people under the Title V program

Ø       We address the issue of housing from multiple perspectives. We are particularly effective in assisting homeless service providers gain access to free federal surplus property.

NLCHP is not an actual provider of housing or shelter.