Coalition for the Homeless

Photo by Steve Cagen

Internships in Advocacy

Goals for the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless

2010-2012

Housing:

1. Advocate for the creation of a County Housing Trust Fund and funding for a National Housing Trust Fund—both of which would provide funding to create and preserve affordable housing in the local community

2. Support legislation for a mandatory six-month foreclosure moratorium

Civil Rights:

1. Support efforts to expand the state and federal hate crimes definition to include crimes against homeless people and to increase the penalty for such crimes

2. NEOCH will continue to sponsor resident councils and the Homeless Congress as a way to organize homeless people

3.  NEOCH pledges its continued support of legislation that will provide more funding for homeless people and programs—contributing to high quality and safer shelters

4.  NEOCH will work to pass local shelter standards legislation

Education:

1. Invite elected government officials to visit local shelters and attend Homeless Congress meeting

2.  Remember those who have died after a period of homelessness

3.  Continue our sponsorship of the Street Voices Speakers’ Bureau

4.  Schedule meetings with Ohio State Senators and House Representatives

5.  Use position on the National Coalition for the Homeless Board of Directors to meet with legislators and government officials to encourage support of the national advocacy agenda

6. Continue to raise awareness about the state of the housing crisis so that our elected officials can better understand and solve the problem of homelessness

7.  Educate school district officials about their obligations to protect the educational environment of homeless children & youth

Health Care:

1.  Support implementation of the new health care law to maximize coverage for those experiencing homelessness

2.  Advocate for the creation of programs, such as U.S. Health Dept. Continuum of Care Program, that would provide essential services to the homeless in the department of health and human services

3. Advocate that addiction services be treated as health conditions rather than criminal offenses, and that we fund universal access to treatment

Employment:

1. Create a pilot project to allow those with skills to earn money or start businesses as they transition out of homelessness

2. Work to transform the shelters into employment centers

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