Round Up – 3/17/20 ( EXTREMELY UPDATED!)

Things are flying at me so quickly and there are so many things to report, much of it is getting dumped here if it is not included in the basic needs guide or the Konkel Round Up news aggregation.  Both those resources are being updated as quickly as I can!  See end of the post for actions you can take from home!

Last updated 11:12 pm 3/17/20 (updates in progress until midnight)

This is going to be updated throughout the evening as more things fly through the interwebs into my sphere of consciousness.

MADISON METRO

Reduced Service Begins on Monday, March 23

For many of our community’s most vulnerable resident’s Metro Transit service is their only way to access essential goods and services such as groceries, employment, medical appointments and pharmacies. For this reason, transit agencies around the country are striving to maintain service. Metro Transit will join them in continuing to provide this essential public service, while also working to protect the health and safety of our employees and customers.

Safety and Social Distancing

After consultation with Public Health, we have determined that several steps should be taken to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19 and increase the ability for riders and employees to follow social distancing guidelines.

• Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, capacity on Metro Transit buses will be limited to 15 passengers plus the driver.
• We ask that Metro Transit be used only for essential trips such as travel to employment, medical appointments, grocery stores, etc.
• Please use alternative forms of transportation if they are available to you.
• Exit the bus through the rear doors.
• Other than brief periods during boarding, you should maintain a distance of 6 feet from the driver and your fellow passengers.

It is particularly important for riders who are at a high risk of severe illness, including paratransit riders, to avoid public transit. High risk individuals include:

• People 60 years or older
• People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes.
• People who have a weakened immune system
• Women who are pregnant

Changes in Service

After careful consideration, Metro Transit will be reducing service and following Saturday schedules all seven days of the week beginning on Monday, March 23. In addition, we will continue to provide regular weekday (Monday – Friday) commuter service to Verona/Epic (55 & 75), Fitchburg (44, 48 & 49), Sun Prairie (23) and Middleton (72). The University of Wisconsin Campus routes are exempt and will operate regular standard weekday service Monday through Friday and standard weekend service on Saturday and Sundays.

This modified service will continue until such time the City begins to return to a more normal function.

Paratransit service will remain unchanged; however, we strongly encourage paratransit riders who are at high risk of severe illness to protect themselves and stay home if possible.

We will also be selectively increasing the number of buses on routes with high ridership in order to meet the demand while still maintaining the maximum capacity of 15 riders per bus.

Available routes and Saturday schedules can be found online at mymetrobus.com, or call Metro Customer Service at 608-266-4466 for more information.

DANE COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES

Update for Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – please view future updates at:https://danecountyhumanservices.org/

Dane County Department of Human Services continues to monitor the community response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and is adjusting our approach to delivery of services in Dane County as new information and updated public health guidance is made available.

The following list is information about the current availability of services from DCDHS and our valued community partners as of 4:00 p.m. on 3/17/2020. This information will be updated as we learn more:

Dane County Department of Human Services Available Services

**All DCDHS Offices are closed to the public until further notice. DCDHS is, however, offering all essential services through online or telecommunications methods.

Dane County Job Center

• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dane County Department of Human Services will not be available at the Dane County Job Center Office (JCO) to the public as of March 18, 2020. The building will remain open to other job center partner services, however, for the time being.
• Benefit applicants are encouraged to apply for FoodShare, health care, or Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy benefits using the ACCESS website. Customers can also access services by phone by calling (888) 794-5556 (voice)or 711 (TTY), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Members can check the status of programs and benefits they are enrolled in, get reminders about actions they need to take, submit and track documents, by using the simple and convenient MyACCESS mobile app. The app can be downloaded for free on the App Storeor Google Play Store.
• Customers can continue faxing documents for processing. Documents can be faxed to the Centralized Document Processing Unit (CDPU) at (855) 293-1822(with a document tracking sheet).
• Applicants/Members are strongly encouraged to use the MyACCESS app to upload documents when possible.
• Documents can also be mailed to:

Centralized Document Processing Unit (CDPU)
P.O. Box 5234
Janesville, WI 53547-5234

EATA:

Staff will be working remotely, but will be accessible by phone and e-mail. For individuals interested in enrolling in programs, they can leave a message for:

• LIFT Dane: (608) 242-4563
• Children First: (608) 242-4550
• FSET Re-Entry: (608) 242-7431
• Windows to Work: (608) 242-4546
• WorkSmart: (608) 288-2459
• General Information: (608) 242-7402

For individuals that are involved in a layoff, e-mail dsaba@worksmart.org or rcephas@worksmart.org.

For more information about all of our programs and services, they refer to the website: www.eata.org.

Child Protective Services

Concerns about Child Abuse and Neglect should continue to be reported to our Child Abuse Reporting Line: (608) 261-5437. Child Protective Services staff will respond to these calls 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Here’s the link directly to the reporting area on the website: danecountyhumanservices.org/ProtectiveServices/Child/reporting_child_abuse_and_neglect.aspx.

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Dane County

Walk-in appointments are not available at this time. Phone calls and emails only. Long-term care options counseling and enrollment continue to be provided.

Information and Assistance:

• (608) 240-7400
• 1-855-417-6892
• ADRC@countyofdane.com
• www.daneadrc.org

Dane County Adult Protective Services

Walk-In appointments are not available at this time.

Helpline: (608) 261-9933

Dane County Transportation Call Center

(608) 242-6489

TransportationCallCenter@countyofdane.com

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS)

Intake Line (two-day response): (608) 242-6415

DCDHS Community Partner Available Services

Local recovery groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Smart Recovery) are working to create virtual meetings to support people’s sobriety.

• aaphonemeetings.org
• www.12step-online.com/meetings/online-aa-meetings
• www.badgerlandna.org/meetings
• aamadisonwi.org
• virtual-na.org

Journey Mental Health Crisis Line

(608) 280-2600

National Suicide Prevention Line

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433): Veterans Press 1, En Español Oprima El 2

Madison Metropolitan School District Meal Distribution Sites

Site	Pickup Location	Daily Pickup Times
East High School	(Outside) 4th Street Entrance-Welcome Center	1:00 to 1:45
La Follette High School	(Outside) Main Entrance-Welcome Center	12:00 to 12:45
Memorial High School	(Outside) Main Entrance-Welcome Center	11:00 to 11:45
Leopold Elementary	Upper Parking Lot Near Main Entrance	11:00 to 11:45
Sherman/Shabazz Elementary	Parking Lot off Ruskin Street	12:00 to 12:45
Cherokee Middle	Sidewalk Near Front Door	12:00 to 12:45
Toki/Orchard Ridge	Bump Out on Whitney Way	1:00 to 1:45
Hawthorne Elementary	Circle Drive Near Front Office	1:00 to 1:45
Lake View Elementary	Circle Driveway	11:00 to 11:45
Allied Drive – Boys and Girls Club	Parking Lot 4619 Jenewein Rd	12:00 to 12:45
Lincoln Elementary	Parking Lot	1:00 to 1:45
Badger Rock Middle School	Main Entrance	11:00 to 11:45

Community Partners – Supplies and Additional Food Availability

Partner Agency	Service	Location	Pick Up Times
Lussier Community Education Center	Food pantry will be accessible to the public.	55 S Gammon Rd, Madison, WI 53717	Weds 7-8pm and Sat 12-1pm (changes and updates will be available at www.lcecmadison.org/eat/)
Goodman Community Center	Pre-packaged food pantry bags (mostly non-perishable items) will be available for drive-thru or walk-up distribution in the Ironworks driveway circle.	149 Waubesa St, Madison, WI 53704	Tuesday 9:30 a.m.– noon Wednesday 6 p.m.– 8 p.m. Thursday 12:30 p.m.– 3 p.m.
Wilmar Community Center	Meal and food pantry.	953 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703	Saturday meal- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Wednesday food pantry from 1:00-3:00
Bayview Community Center	Food pantry will be accessible for Bayview residents.	601 Bay View, Madison, WI 53715	Timing to be announced
Boys & Girls Club Allied and Taft	Will offer bagged snacks/lunches during weekdays.	4619 Jenewein Rd. 2001 Taft St.	Timing to be announced
Vera Court Neighborhood Center	Will offer one bagged lunch a day for Vera Court students.	614 Vera Ct, Madison, WI 53704	3:00-3:30 Tuesday – Friday. Only for members.
East YMCA	Brown Bag Meals	711 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716. Currently considering expanding to West location as well Tuesdays and Thursday	5pm-7pm
Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center	Wednesday food pantry Daily bagged meal for neighbors	1917 Lake Point Dr., Madison, WI 53713	Food pantry by appointment only, bagged meals timing to be determined
East Madison Community Center	Will be a site for MMSD food distribution.	8 Straubel Ct, Madison, WI 53704	Shortly after Hawthorne

Rape Crisis Center (RCC)

RCC Helpline is 606-251-7273 (English and other languages through Language Line)

La Linea is 608-258-2567

General email of info@thercc.org will be checked daily Monday through Friday.

Wisconsin Unemployment

• Allowing people to file for unemployment if their workplaces have closed down/fully suspended operations due to COVID-19.
• FAQ about COVID-related unemployment policies here: dwd.wisconsin.gov/covid19/public/ui.htm
• Apply here: dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/apply/.

Casey Slaughter Becker
Division Administrator – Housing Access & Affordability
Dane County Department of Human Services

ALRC MEETING CANCELLED

From: “Verbick, Jim” <JVerbick@cityofmadison.com> Date: March 17, 2020 at 9:51:52 PM CDT To: “Verbick, Jim” <JVerbick@cityofmadison.com> Subject: ALRC Meeting for 3/18 is CancelledGood evening,As directed by the Chair, tomorrow night’s meeting of the ALRC is cancelled. I will send emails to applicants that had intended on attended that the meeting is cancelled.Sincerely,Jim Verbick, Deputy ClerkCity of Madison City Clerk’s Office

PLAN COMMISSION CANCELLED MONDAY

Good morning, Plan Commissioners-

As some of you may know, the Mayor has issued guidance to let City employees know that most offices will be closed to the public starting tomorrow, 3/18. While offices are still technically open to staff, most of the Planning Division staff has begun to work remotely, and we’re adjusting well overall.

In the midst of preparing staff citywide for teleworking, our amazing IT Department is working on the development of a remote meeting system to support future public meetings with video. It is very likely that we’ll be able to support the April 13 meeting in this way, but we know that it will not be ready for March 23. Thus, we will move ahead today with the cancellation of the March 23 Plan Commission meeting.

All items on the March 23 agenda will be added to the April 13 agenda, and you’ll receive more detailed communication from me in the coming weeks on how best to prepare for that (remote) meeting.

At this time, I estimate that we’ll be able to mail everyone the hard copies of materials from applicants (since we already have them), but that our staff reports, public comments, and other items will be available only electronically for your review.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this.

All the best- Heather (Stouder, Planning Director)

COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENGAGEMENT AND EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM FUNDING SUSPENDED

LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN CALLS FOR END TO EVICTIONS DURING PANDEMIC

In a letter to 39 chief judges, Deedee Peterson, the nonprofit’s executive director, noted that Milwaukee and Dane counties have already closed their small claims courts where eviction cases are heard until at least April 3. In the letter that will be sent Tuesday, she is asking the judges to go a step further and halt the execution of eviction orders in each of their counties, which cover much of the southern half of Wisconsin.

CITY COUNCIL EXEMPTED FROM GATHERINGS OF 10 OR MORE

CITY GUIDANCE ON INTERNAL MEETINGS

Dear City Colleagues,

Based on new recommendations from the State, I am sending the attached REVISED guidance on internal City meetings. Please share this with your colleagues who do not regularly access email.

Sincerely,
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

March 17, 2020

RE: Revised Guidance on Scheduling and Holding Internal Staff Meetings

Dear Colleagues,

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, I am issuing the following guidance to internal staff related to scheduling and holding meetings.

Guidance Summary: To reduce the spread of COVID-19, City staff should only hold in-person meetings that are essential, limit all in-person meetings to a maximum of 10 people, size and anange meetings rooms to allow social distancing, cancel low priority meetings and use teleconferencing options wherever possible. Hygiene supplies should be provided in all meeting rooms, and attendance lists should be maintained to help Public Health conduct contact-tracing if needed. This guidance is in place until further notice.

Guidance

City staff hold a number of meetings that increase their interaction and potential for spreading coronavirus. To minimize these risks, please adhere to the following guidance for meetings until further notice.

• Prioritize Essential Meetings. Essential meetings are meetings that are critical for information-sharing and decision-making regarding time-sensitive activities related to public health and safety, legal, financial and economic activity.
• Essential meetings as defined above should be prioritized for scheduling and scheduled via teleconference if at all possible.
• For non-essential meetings, staff should use discretion to determine whether to cancel or hold meetings via teleconference. For example, regular staff meetings may serve an important function in answering questions and providing emotional suppo1i, which divisions may want to prioritize regardless of the nature of other agenda items.
• Conduct meetings via teleconference whenever possible.
• For meetings that must occur in-person, no more than 10 in-person attendees may join any meeting. Teleconferencing can be used in conjunction with in-person attendance to avoid exceeding the 10-attendee maximum.
• All in-person meetings must practice social distancing. Rescheduling existing meetings to larger spaces may be needed to accommodate this.
• The Mayor plans to continue the following regular interdepartmental meetings on her calendar:
  • Management Team Meeting will continue to be held, and will move to teleconference as soon as possible.
  • The Planning Team, Human Services Team, and Public Works Issues meetings will continue to be held, and may be rescheduled as needed. These meetings will move to teleconference as soon as possible.
• Continue practicing everyday prevention, such as washing hands and frequently cleaning surfaces that are regularly touched. Please ensure that proper hand hygiene and sanitation is readily available to all meeting attendees.
• Please maintain a registration list of in-person patiicipants to assist public health in contact-tracing if needed.

UPDATE (BELATED) FOR HOMELESS SERVICES – FROM THE COUNTY

Sent to county board members from the new county board chair Analiese Eicher

– – –

Updated as of 4:08pm 3/15/2020

**Preparedness planning is fluid and ongoing. We are working to respond to emerging needs as the nature of Covid19 response evolves. Please note the date stamp at the top of this document, as it will change.**

Dane County and City of Madison officials are collaborating with Public Health Madison-Dane County, local agencies, and community stakeholders to protect individuals experiencing homelessness from the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

The preparedness efforts outlined below are focused on individuals experiencing homelessness in:
1. Overnight Shelters
2. Day Resource Centers and Day Shelters
3. Unsheltered Locations (on the street, encampments, in cars)

Additional planning is underway for individuals in housing programs.

Key Elements of Planning

1. Relocating Guests at Higher Risk of Contracting Covid-19

a. To protect vulnerable persons and ease the demand for shelter space, City and
County staff are working with shelter providers to identify guests who are at
higher risk of contracting Covid-19, and temporarily moving them into alternate
settings as soon as possible. These include:

i. People 60 and older.
ii. People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung
disease, or diabetes.
iii. People who have weakened immune systems.
iv. Pregnant women.

2. Working Within Existing Shelter Space to Meet Social Distancing Standards

1. Within existing facilities, shelters are working to distance guests
the recommended 6 feet needed to reduce transition risk and/or
maintain a six-foot separation between coughing guests and
others in sleeping areas.

2. Some plans to achieve social distancing within shelters hinge on
the ability to find additional spaces to serve our neighbors
experiencing homelessness. City and County staff are partnering
with providers and community members to identify these
additional spaces.

3. We are increasing the resource commitment for diversion
programs to help individuals in need of shelter secure safe
accommodations outside of the shelter system.

i. Dane County is providing additional funds to
Salvation Army for their diversion programs.

3. Reinforcing Standard Operating Procedures for Personal Hygiene and Sanitation

a. Distributing established guidance from the CDC, Public Health Madison-Dane
County, and other trusted partners to providers.
b. Working to increase the availability of handwashing stations and portable toilets
for individuals who are sleeping outside.

4. Developing protocols for providers in referring suspected cases of Covid-19.

a. City and County staff, in consultation with Public Health Madison-Dane County,
are developing guidance and protocols for providers to follow when guests who
may be ill check into shelter for the evening.

5. Continuing to Assess Resources Needed to Prevent Transmission Within the
Community of People Experiencing Homelessness

a. City and County staff are working with providers to:

i. Assess and respond to specific shelter provider needs related to cleaning
supplies, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, etc.
ii. Determine specific needs such as space, food, transportation, staffing,
and volunteers associated with expanding shelter capacity in order to
reduce concentrations to levels more compatible with social distancing .
iii. Work to assemble information and hygiene kits for distribution to those
unwilling or unable to access shelter services

MESSAGE FROM THE DA’S OFFICE RE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

From: DVCCR of Dane County <danecountydvccr@gmail.com> Date: March 17, 2020 at 9:36:31 PM CDT To: Dane County DVCCR <danecountydvccr@gmail.com> Subject: Important Update from the DA’s OfficeGreetings, Please be aware that domestic violence victims will be facing an increased risk during the pandemic as a result of social distancing. The following article has more information.https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-03-16/social-distancing-coronavirus-domestic-violence We have been asked to forward the following update from the District Attorney’s office regarding the COVID-19 situation.STATEMENT FROM DA’S OFFICE GOING OUT TODAY: PLEASE BE SURE TO FORWARDCrime victims, especially those who are impacted by domestic violence and intimate partner violence may feel even more isolated during this Coronavirus crisis.  We want to remind you that the Crime Response Program (CRP) of the District Attorney’s Office operates 24/7/365. If you or someone you know might benefit from a phone call from one of our Trauma Response Specialists whether they need to talk about their victimization or have immediate needs related to the crime we are available. Victim service providers are working from home and available to assist Dane County crime victims.  On-call Trauma Response Specialists are available after standard working hours.  Our Victim/Witness Program will continue to provide services to victims who have pending court cases.  Due to additional delays and case postponements, victims may have questions and concerns about their cases.   We have Victim/Witness staff available remotely to respond to incoming calls. Our programs can be reach the following ways:  Crime Response Program daytime phone:  608 284-6908 Crime Response Program 24-hour phone:  608 376-0164 Victim Witness Unit can be reached at 608 266-9003

NEW GUIDANCE ON CITY SERVICES AND LEAVE POLICIES

Monday, March 16, 6:48pm

Dear City Colleagues,

In light of the current COVID-19 concerns, I am announcing additional steps to protect the health of our employees both in the workplace and in the case that they cannot work. In the attached guidance, you’ll find language that significantly reduces the access the general public has to City workspaces, makes allowances for teleworking, and provides assistance and assurance of paid leave in numerous circumstances. Specific highlights of the guidance include:

• Most public visitor services such as walk-up counters, community centers, and libraries will be closing on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, with a few exceptions listed within the guidance.
• Allowing teleworking and asking employees to make teleworking decisions with their supervisors. IT has developed a Telework Toolkit available here.
• Assuring that employees who perform services that we are currently closing, and who cannot be reassigned or telework will be paid via administrative leave, and will remain on-call to return to work.
• Front-loading all 2020 Sick Leave accruals for use as soon as necessary, and providing the equivalent of two weeks of Emergency Leave to all employees, including hourly employees, for COVID-related illness, quarantine, or care for a family member. This leave is only available for COVID-related absences in 2020 and we urge employees to only use it if necessary, as it is possible that COVID-19 will remain in our community for much or all of 2020.

I hope this guidance provides some clarity and assurances to all City staff that we are taking steps to protect our workers, practice social distancing, and ensure those who are sick have the leave balances to stay home.

Thank you all for your continued dedication during this time.

Best,

Mayor Satya

CITY SERVICES, PAID LEAVE GUIDANCE, CITY TOOLKIT

Good evening,

There are a few critical updates from the Mayor’s Office, IT, and extra information from the CDC this afternoon that will impact your work:

Mayor’s Guidance on City Services and Paid Leave: https://www.cityofmadison.com/employeenet/coronavirus/city-services-paid-leave-guidance

Telework Toolkit for working from home, please check with your supervisor on if you should telework:https://www.cityofmadison.com/employeenet/coronavirus/information-technology

By request, here is some helpful information from the CDC on proper disinfecting and sterilizing of surfaces: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html

Get updates and stay connected on the internal City website on EmployeeNet:https://www.cityofmadison.com/employeenet/coronavirus

We’re also working on getting a resident-focused public-facing website up and running, the goal is by tomorrow. If you are closed, emailed COVID-19Updates@cityofmadison.com so we can make sure the latest information is up on that site for the public.

Press Release from Madison Public Library: Libraries to close tomorrow: https://cityofmadison.com/news/madison-public-libraries-to-close-march-17

CITY WORKERS DEMAND CORONAVIRUS PROTECTIONS

To: Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor ; All City Alders

Attached is a petition signed by approximately 400 City employees from numerous agencies, our family members and loved ones about things we need as City workers to work safely, provide services and ensure that we are able to take time off of work equitably during this crisis if we are quarantined or confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 Virus.

With more cases of coronavirus reported in Wisconsin and Dane County, Governor Evers has declared a state of emergency. The University of Wisconsin has halted all in-person instruction; K-12 schools will close for the next four weeks; sports seasons have halted; and other public gatherings have been cancelled. What will happen with City workers?

City of Madison employees have been encouraged to work from home and warned that any personal travel may  result in quarantine for 14 days, which will be deducted from the employee’s sick or other leave time. For most City employees, there is no opportunity to work from home: bus drivers, firefighters, clerks, mechanics, parking attendants, and many others have jobs that must be physically present to perform. This means City employees must choose between coming to work sick or potentially losing income or our jobs. Regardless of City Agency, position or union, City workers have a common interest in making sure our employer handles this crisis properly and doesn’t place the burden on the shoulders of employees as we take care of ourselves and our families.

Thank you and we await a response.

HOW TO CONTACT MADISON PARKS

As of 4:30pm on Tuesday, March 17, and until further notice all Madison Parks offices are closed to the public. While many services are available online, staff are also available by phone and email.

Offices closed to the public and contact information as follows:

ADMINISTRATION
Location: City/County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Room 104.
Online Services: shelter reservations, special events, permits, canoe/kayak storage
Phone: (608) 266-4711
Email: parks@cityofmadison.com

FOREST HILL CEMETERY
Location: 1 Speedway Road
Phone: (608) 266-4720
Email: foresthillcemetery@cityofmadison.com

GOODMAN MAINTENANCE FACILITY
Location: 1402 Wingra Creek Pkwy
Phone: (608) 266-4711
Email: parks@cityofmadison.com

View updates and many online services on the Madison Parks website. View all impacts to City service on the City’s COVID-19 website.

CALL CONGRESS – HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME RENTERS IN CORONA VIRUS RESPONSE

From the National Low Income Housing Coalition

Urgent Action Needed

Call on Congress to Address Immediate Housing and Health Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness and Low-Income Renters in Coronavirus Response

Congress is working quickly to provide critical resources to help households impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and any package must provide funding for the urgent and unique needs of people experiencing homelessness and extremely low-income renters.

Extremely low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness are often seniors, people with disabilities and/or people with underlying health conditions, making them vulnerable to severe illness from the coronavirus. These same families and individuals are likely to live in close quarters with others, be unable to implement social distancing mechanisms, and have no ability to self-isolate should they be exposed to the virus. It is not only a moral imperative that Congress provide for their needs, but also an urgent public health necessity.

Now more than ever, housing is health care.

Call your representatives and senators TODAY and TOMORROW to urge them to address the housing and health needs of America’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness who are at the greatest risk in the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to all of you who responded to last week’s call to action. Your calls are working – we’re making real progress on Capitol Hill! Keep the calls coming!

Background

Congress is working quickly on several emergency relief packages that provide critical resources for households impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Any emergency measure must include resources to ensure housing stability for low-income individuals and people experiencing homelessness.

Congress must follow the lead of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown who have called for the inclusion of emergency rental and eviction-prevention assistance, as well as financial assistance directly to homelessness service providers, housing authorities, and housing-assistance providers. Congress should also put into effect a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. For more information, see these coronavirus housing policy recommendations from NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition and our webpage with up-to-date information.

Take Action

Call your senators and representatives today and tomorrow to demand robust resources to help protect people experiencing homelessness and to allow low-income people to continue to keep roofs over their heads during and after this crisis.

STATE FUNDING OF HOMELESS PROGRAMS RENEWED WITHOUT APPLICATION

Due to current circumstances, DEHCR has decided to make changes to the 2020-2021 EHH Application Process.

For the 2020-2021 grant year, DEHCR will renew all existing 2019-2020 EHH contracts for another cycle. Current contract holders will receive HPP and HAP award letters in the coming weeks reflecting the 2020-2021 allocation award amounts. The due date for EHH application materials will be extended to June 1, 2020. New contracts will be issued prior to the July 1, 2020 start date.

If there will be a change in the EHH Lead Agency for your coalition, please notify DEHCR as soon as possible but no later than the original due date of April 20, 2020.

Please disseminate this information to your networks. Application materials can be found at https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/ETH-Application.aspx.

STILL TIME TO OPPOSE F-35s

Sign the petition

by Wednesday midnight!

We will be delivering the No-F35s petition to the Secretary of the Air Force and to Wisconsin elected officials on Thursday, March 19. We have around 2000 signatures but we can do better than that! If you haven’t yet signed it please do it now – and tell all your friends!

Sign the petition here

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Contact Madison Alders:

The Common Council will be introducing a strongly worded resolution opposing the F-35’s placement at Truax tomorrow (Tuesday 3/17) – without discussion at this time. Emails in support will be appreciated tomorrow and for the 2 weeks leading up to the vote on the 31st.

Find your Alder
Email all Alders: allalders@cityofmadison.com

Check for details and updates here.

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Contact your County Supervisor

Ask them to co-sponsor Dane County Board Resolution 2019-RES-548 Opposing F-35s at Truax. Ask your friends who live in Dane County outside of the Madison area to contact their supervisors. – Details –

Thank current sponsors: Heidi Wegleitner, Kristen Audet, Yogesh Chawla, Carl Chenoweth, Elizabeth Doyle, Chuck Erickson, Nikole Jones, Richard Kilmer, Dorothy Krause, Patrick Miles, Michele Ritt and Paul Rusk

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