The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. It relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Tagged since July 2008. It may have been edited by a contributor who has a close connection with its subject. Tagged since July 2008. The notability of this article's subject is in question. If notability cannot be established, it may be listed for deletion or removed. Tagged since July 2008. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP) was founded in 1989 by Maria Foscarinis as a non-profit corporation based in Washington, D.C. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal revenue Code,[1] and contributions to it are tax deductible. The organization is governed by a 16 member volunteer Board of Directors, and works with other national and local organizations across the country.[2] The mission of NLCHP is to prevent and end homelessness by serving as the legal arm of the nationwide movement to end homelessness. Through a combination of impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education, NLCHP works for systematic reform that addresses the causes of homelessness at the local, state, and national level. NLCHP views homelessness as an extreme form of poverty, caused primarily by a shortage of affordable housing, insufficient income, and inadequate social services. NLCHP is the only national legal advocacy organization dedicated solely to preventing and ending homelessness.[3] NLCHP’s programs focus on reforming systems that contribute to and cause homelessness, while also working to make a concrete difference in the lives of millions.[4] The organization’s programs include: Assuring that homeless children are able to go to school Preventing domestic violence survivors from becoming homeless Assisting impoverished families when they are homeless due to a natural disaster Holding the U.S. government accountable until the human right to housing is a reality for all Protecting homeless individuals from discrimination Creating homes and communities for homeless people from unused government property[1] Contents [hide] 1 Accomplishments 2 Pro bono 3 References 4 External links [edit]Accomplishments
Major accomplishments by NLCHP include: Helping to spur passage of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, which increased federal resources to prevent homelessness and to house those already homeless, and required that the federal government develop a plan to end homelessness.[5] Helping to spur passage of 2009’s Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act, which provided tenants of foreclosure properties with unprecedented federal protections, including the right to 90-days notice prior to eviction, or in many cases, the right to stay in their home until the end of their lease.[6] Advocating for laws in D.C. and Maryland that add homeless people as a protected class to their hate crime statutes.[7] Helping to plan a nationwide fact-finding mission for the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Raquel Rolnik, who met with poor and homeless persons and government officials in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. and other cities to assess the status of American homelessness. She concluded her trip by sharing her preliminary findings at NLCHP’s National Forum on Housing as a Human Right.[8] Along with pro bono partner Goodwin Procter, successfully resolving a class action lawsuit on behalf of 2,000 children against the Long Island, New York school system, Suffolk County, and New York state, ensuring access to school and school services for those children.[9] Advocating successfully for a federal law that makes surplus federal property available to homeless assistance organizations at no cost, and creating a tool kit and provides technical assistance to help local advocates apply for and obtain federal property. Federal agencies estimate that at least $100 million in surplus federal property has been made available to homeless assistance organizations to date.[10] Successfully advocating against anti-camping laws in Puyallup, WA, where homeless persons were harassed and arrested for sleeping in public. As a result of NLCHP’s efforts, the Puyallup City Council declared a Homeless Awareness Day and is considering legislation to establish tent cities on Church property. [edit]Pro bono
Many of NLCHP's most significant and high profile legal victories were made possible through extensive pro bono service from the private bar. In 2004, NLCHP decided to strengthen its ties with pro bono partners and recognize their vital contributions to its work. Thus, the Lawyers’ Executive Advisory Partners, known as LEAP, was formed. LEAP is a national philanthropic effort of the legal community to help homeless and poverty-stricken Americans achieve self-sufficiency. LEAP members work to prevent and end homelessness by providing NLCHP with financial support as well as pro bono legal services. The members form a network of key influential leaders that realize significant positive social change.[11] [edit]References
^ a b GuideStar - JustGive Search - National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty ^ Charity Navigator Rating - National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty ^ NLCHP.org ^ Homelessness ^ National Alliance to End Homelessness' HEARTH Act Summary http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/general/detail/2098 ^ Prince George's Sentinel: Foreclosures also affect tenants http://www.thesentinel.com/pgs/column-landlord-foreclosers-ganzler ^ USA Today: MD first to make homeless attacks a hate crime http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-07-homeless-attacks-hate-crimes_N.htm ^ UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing's opening remarks at National Housing Forum http://hub.witness.org/en/upload/un-special-rapporteur-right-adequate-housing-opening-remarks-2009-national-forum-human-right- ^ Agreement Near on Homeless Schooling - New York Times ^ President Signs Bill to Provide More Housing Resources http://www.nlchp.org/view_release.cfm?PRID=1 ^ An Overview of LEAP http://www.nlchp.org/program.cfm?prog=8 [edit]External links
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