Improve Support for Hard-Hit Families

As a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity's work to extend the dream of homeownership to more hardworking families than ever before, I understand that housing problems, including poor-quality shelter, unmanageable rent or mortgage payments, and overcrowding, afflict one-third of all Americans. These challenges are compounded when a disaster strikes, frequently displacing families from their homes, jobs, and support systems.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, people across the Gulf Coast found themselves homeless and separated from their families, including many children. Since 2005, Congress has taken steps to ensure that needs of pets are met following a disaster, but similar reforms have not been achieved with regard to children. Families deserve an effective government response that helps to avoid traumatic separations and unsafe living conditions. The Senate should take immediate steps to improve post-disaster housing support for low-income families and their children.

Habitat for Humanity is working in coalition with other faith-based and non-profit organizations to have bipartisan legislation introduced establishing a national commission on children and disasters. This commission would include a housing expert as a member, would assess housing and other needs of children and their families following disasters, and would make recommendations to improve future government responses to post-disaster needs, including housing.

Had such a commission been convened prior to 2005, the post-Katrina response to housing needs might well have reflected several disaster response reforms being advocated by Habitat for Humanity. These include:

* Developing a flexible menu of housing options - allowing families to remain in damaged homes when possible, and to use trailers, hotels, apartments, and other options, as necessary and when appropriate;

* Supporting community based recovery - allowing more families to remain near their homes, jobs, schools, and support systems; and

* Providing a streamlined housing response - ensuring that families have immediate access to a single point of contact for housing-related services and that all families receive equal access to consistent benefits.

Hurricane season is upon us. When disasters strike, families with children are particularly vulnerable. Please act today to provide for an appropriate housing response and recovery plan before the next disaster.

Thank you for your consideration of these important concerns. I look forward to receiving your reply.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]