Faith leaders, lawmakers, and housing advocates are set to hold a 12-hour vigil at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis on Tuesday in response to significant cuts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The event, titled “Losing Sleep, Losing Homes,” is intended to prompt HUD officials to reconsider their recent decision, which has raised alarms among those dedicated to combating homelessness.
The vigil will commence at noon with a lineup of speakers followed by a candlelight ceremony. It will continue from 19:00 until 07:00 on Wednesday, drawing attention to the implications of HUD’s funding alterations. Last week, HUD announced plans to cap spending for housing programs linked to voluntary support services, reducing national funding from $2.3 billion to $1.2 billion.
These funding cuts are set to impact the Continuum of Care (CoC) grants, which are essential for non-profits and state and local governments working to end homelessness. Advocates warn that such reductions could cut supportive housing funds by as much as half, potentially leading to the closure of critical programs.
HUD officials defended their decision, arguing that the CoC program has been ineffective in achieving its goal of ending homelessness. In a written statement, a HUD spokesperson criticized the program for funneling around 90% of funding over the last four years into what they termed the “failed ‘Housing First’ ideology.” This approach, they argue, perpetuates government dependence without addressing the fundamental issues contributing to homelessness.
Chris LaTondresse, the president and chief executive officer of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, expressed the urgency behind the vigil. He noted that the event was inspired in part by the story of Betty Allen, a woman currently utilizing supportive housing who fears losing her assistance. “The vigil is called losing sleep, losing home,” LaTondresse explained. “It’s us standing in solidarity saying we will lose sleep because too many of our friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans and Minnesotans are losing homes.”
As the vigil approaches, faith leaders and advocates emphasize the need for immediate action and reconsideration of the proposed funding cuts. The event aims to bring together diverse voices advocating for the preservation of housing resources, highlighting the profound human impact of these policy changes.
