Biggert organizing homeless caucus in Congress

By Lynn Sweet on May 3, 2010 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Below, release from Biggert....

TOMORROW: Biggert to Launch Caucus on Homelessness

WHO:
- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th), Co-Founder & Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, Senior Member of the Education and Labor Committee, and Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
- U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL-23rd), Co-Founder & Co-Chair
- U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30th), Co-Founder & Co-Chair
- U.S. Representative Geoff Davis (R-KY-4th), Co-Founder & Co-Chair
- Representatives of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH), the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), the Mayor of San Francisco's Homeless Policy Office, and more.

WHAT:
Congresswoman Biggert and three other long-time Congressional leaders on homeless issues will host the inaugural meeting of the new Congressional Caucus on Homelessness. Joined by the nation's top homeless advocacy organizations, the Co-Chairs will introduce the Caucus, discuss its mission, and set the coalition's top agenda items for the coming year. They also will hear from accomplished experts who are helping to raise awareness about homeless issues and working to prevent and end homelessness in our communities.

WHEN:
10:00 to 11:30 am Eastern, Tuesday, May 3, 2010

WHERE:
U.S. Capitol, Room HC-6

WHY:
During the 2008-2009 school year, the Department of Education recorded over 930,000 homeless children in public schools, a 38 percent increase over the previous year. This year's estimates are expected to be even higher, as the economic downturn and widespread foreclosures continue to impact the housing of millions of American families. Other homeless populations are also at disturbing levels: homeless and runaway youth, including those never enrolled in school; veterans; and the mentally ill.

In a bipartisan effort to raise awareness of homeless issues and advance effective solutions, Reps. Biggert, Hastings, Johnson, and Davis have founded the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness. The group will meet regularly to hear from experts in the field and coordinate Congressional efforts on issues ranging from homeless education, Section 8 vouchers, supportive services, VA housing initiatives, Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs, and more.

All Members of Congress, staff, media, and those interested in homeless issues are invited to attend the inaugural meeting.