JRLC ACTION ALERT: Speak out for Housing

We need YOU to contact your Senator TODAY and tell them to include $40 million for affordable housing construction and rehabilitation. 

S.F. 2073/H.F.2485, a proposal for $40 million for affordable housing, was introduced with broad, bipartisan support. Minnesota needs to make investments in housing a priority in this bonding bill. With the rental market at historically low vacancy rates, access to affordable rental housing is very tight and rents are trending upward. The impact is evident on a daily basis in state's housing programs and homeless shelters. 

TAKE ACTION TODAY: Call your senator, and urge them to include $40 million in the bonding bill for affordable housing. Click here to find you senator's contact information.

It is crucial that we get calls in to all senators NOW while they are taking up the issue. Let us know how your calls go, by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ! 

Let's make 2012 the year Minnesota resolves to end homelessness.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEOS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUBLISHED!

Homeless advocates are embarking on a year-long campaign to engage Minnesotans of every walk of life, from every county, every city, in pledging to do their part to end homelessness. We know we cannot end homelessness in one year, but we can significantly move public will. The campaign will be kicked off with the New Year utilizing a strong social media component, and will be followed with earned and paid media throughout the year.

We would like JRLC volunteers, as leaders in the work to end homelessness, to record a 30-second New Year's Resolution video. Your leadership will inspire others to follow.

Will you make a resolution to (continue to) do your part in 2012?

Here's how it works: Record a short video that includes the words "I resolve..." with your personalized message. Email your video clip to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and we will share it through social media and other sources. This initiative is sponsored by Heading Home Minnesota, the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, and dozens of partners around the state, including JRLC.

Instructions & Tips

1. Please keep video to one minute or less.
2. Clear sound is crucial - please record in an environment without background noise.
3. Be aware of backlight - if you're in front of a bright window, it will be hard to see you.
4. Title your video - consider using your city/region or resolution theme
5. Please consider resolving to do actions that truly get at ending homelessness. Think about your faith community and other places where you have influence. What can you do with that influence to help end homelessness? 
6. Email your video to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
7. Examples of resolutions you might make:

- I resolve to use social media to share updates from JRLC and others in the homeless advocacy community.
- I resolve to have my business contribute volunteers and financial resources to build and sustain housing.
- I resolve to open my house as a host home for a homeless youth.
- I resolve to give my employees the option to participate in employee giving.
- I resolve to deliver a sermon/lecture/paper on homelessness.
- I resolve to dedicate a percentage of my rental units to housing people who are transitioning out of homelessness.
- I resolve to host a brown bag lunch for my employees and have a guest speaker educate us on homelessness.
- I resolve to raise $1,000 to help homeless advocacy and/or my local homeless program.
- I resolve to greet warmly every homeless person I meet.
- I resolve to meet with my legislators to share facts about homelessness.
- I resolve to have my organization sponsor an essay contest on homelessness.
- I resolve to visit my local homeless program to educate myself about homelessness.
- I resolve to sponsor a family transitioning out of homelessness by stocking their home with household goods.
- I resolve to volunteer on one Habitat for Humanity house.
- I resolve to mentor/tutor a homeless child.
- I resolve to include people experiencing homelessness in my daily prayers.
- I resolve to have my students do a book/research report on homelessness.
- I resolve to provide a free taxi ride to a homeless person who needs a ride to shelter.
- I resolve to provide pro bono legal assistance to a homeless family.
- I resolve to volunteer at a Project Homeless Connect or Operation Community Connect.
- I resolve to hire a homeless veteran.
- I resolve to donate fresh fruits or vegetables from my garden to a homeless program/person.
- I resolve to donate food from my farm to somebody transitioning out of homelessness to stock their fridge/freezer.
- I resolve to offer a free haircut to a homeless person at my salon.
- I resolve to make our next company party be a volunteer event or fundraiser to help end homelessness.
- I resolve to listen to the facts without preconception.
- I resolve to learn how I can make a difference.

Thank you for your commitment to ending homelessness!

Plant a lawn sign in your yard:

A Shut Down is Terrible –

A budget without revenue is

terrible and permanent

Are you willing to make a lawn sign? Are you willing to put up a lawn sign?

Below are some instructions for messages and how to make a lawn-sign or how to get one.

THE MESSAGE:
We want a clear and consistent truly grassroots message across Minnesota.
You can get out the markers and paint and make your own.
Or use the links that will let you print out a sign on 9 pieces of letter-sized paper to be taped together and assembled on your sign.

Choose one of the following:

Invest in Minnesota: Revenue!
http://bit.ly/InvestinMN

New Revenue + Careful Cuts = Balanced Budget
http://bit.ly/MNmath

MN can’t afford an all-cuts budget
http://bit.ly/AllCuts

Tax me.
http://bit.ly/TaxMeMN

Willing to pay for a better Minnesota
http://bit.ly/WillingToPay

HOW TO MAKE A SIGN
If you have a yard sign from a previous issue or campaign, just cover it with new poster board. You can also borrow a Realtors’ or contractors’ sign. Otherwise create a sturdy sign out of plywood, foam board or cardboard held in the ground with wooden or metal stakes.

Put your message on paper or poster board. Attach it to the sign using clear packing tape. To protect your sign from our Minnesota weather, you may wish to cover it with clear tape, contact paper or plastic sheeting.

SHARE
If you make a sign and have extras to share, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or put it on the Affirmative Options facebook page. If you want to know if someone in your community has made signs to share, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

TAKE PICTURES
Take a picture of your sign and send it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Let us know what city you’re in, so we can show the statewide support for a fair budget. We will collect the pictures and send them to the Governor to let him know that people who care about homeless and low income Minnesotans and General Assistance, MFIP are walking the talk!

No yard? Post your sign in a window or on your door.

This is an effort being launched with our friends at the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and the Affirmative Options Coalition.