ACT NOW: Help us ensure housing stability in our community.
Dear Habitat Supporters,
Negotiations are underway right now in Congress to provide additional relief to families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By reaching out to your federal policymakers today, you can help ensure further relief for homeowners, renters, Habitat affiliates and the communities we serve.
This week, the Senate released its priorities for the next COVID-19 relief package. The HEALS Act includes provisions that would adjust and extend unemployment insurance, provide a second stimulus check, and provides liability protection for employers. Additionally, most relevant to Habitat organizations, the package includes:
- Several Paycheck Protection Program provisions, most notably:
- Some nonprofits could be eligible for a second PPP loan.
- A simplified process to receive forgiveness for borrowers with loans under $150,000.
- An expansion of eligible expenses.
- More flexibility for states using Coronavirus Relief Funds, established in the CARES Act, by expanding allowable uses and extending the deadline for expenditures.
Given the differing cost and priorities of the Senate HEALS Act compared to the House HEROES Act, the two chambers and the administration must deliberate on what priorities will be included in a final bill, expected to pass before recess on Aug. 8. It’s important to note, these bills are just the starting point for negotiations. We need to continue pushing for bipartisan support of Habitat’s priorities to ensure they are included.
Congress has indicated this will be the final major relief package before the elections, so now is the time to ensure support for housing stability and nonprofits. Here are two easy ways you can help in just a few minutes!
- Email your members of Congress urging them to support Habitat’s priorities — particularly the Housing Assistance Fund to provide mortgage payment assistance and the WORK NOW Act to give funding for nonprofits to support their staffing.
- Tweet now to share this action with your friends.
Over the last few months, we have seen unprecedented advocacy engagement from the Habitat network that has made a strong case for Congress to support housing stability and the nonprofit sector at a critical time. Let’s make sure we continue to grow our engagement in these final weeks of negotiation.
Thank you for your support,
Chris Vincent
Vice President, Government Relations and Advocacy
Habitat for Humanity International
