National Health Care for the Homeless Council CEO Appointed to the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force February 12, 2021 Bobby Watts, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, is one of 12 leaders nationwide appointed to the Biden-Harris Administration’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, the White House announced this week. […]

For 2021, Shine a Bright Light on the Dark Truth About Homelessness January 4, 2021 A year-end reflection from Bobby Watts, CEO of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, and Donald Whitehead Jr., Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless Thirty years ago, the truth that homelessness is not inevitable led

Long-Overdue COVID-19 Relief Bill Passes On Sunday, December 27, President Trump signed Congress’ long-overdue $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill (summary) as an amendment to the annual budget agreement for fiscal year 2021. Last week President Trump threatened to not sign the bill, creating unnecessary chaos and a lapse in unemployment benefits. The bipartisan relief bill includes a

Millions of Evictions Are Imminent Unless Congress Acts Immediately December 4, 2020 At the end of the month, the CDC’s eviction moratorium is set to expire, putting up to 5 million households at immediate risk of eviction. Likewise, other safety net provisions, such as unemployment benefits and paid sick leave, will also expire, putting 12

The Future of Our Health Is Now: Statement on the Elections and the Supreme Court November 10, 2020 Today, the Supreme Court is conducting hearings to determine the legality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Last week, the country elected a new President after a long and contentious election that has left the nation still

Statement on the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness’ Strategic Plan On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) released a new strategic plan entitled Expanding the Toolbox: The Whole-of-Government Response to Homelessness. This report (hardly a plan) plays on harmful stereotypes and undermines best practices. For example, it attacks Housing First, an

Prevent Client Evictions! (Updated April 21, 2021, to reflect the new expiration date for the eviction moratorium, June 30, 2021.) The CDC has released an order halting most evictions due to nonpayment of rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order is in effect from September 4, 2020, through June 30, 2021. However, renters are not

CDC’s Eviction Moratorium Offers Welcome, But Interim, Relief NASHVILLE, Tenn., September 3, 2020 — On Tuesday evening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an order establishing a nationwide eviction moratorium. Under the order, evictions are banned through December 31, 2020, for tenants unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This