Making Our Voices Heard
These are extraordinarily difficult times for our entire community. In recent weeks, we have heard distressing news regarding proposed budget cuts at federal agencies including HUD. These cuts would pose extreme challenges not just for Interfaith Works, but for social service programs across the county and the entire country.
Even before any cuts are made, it is clear an increasing number of our neighbors find themselves experiencing homelessness. In Montgomery County alone, we have witnessed a 97% increase in homelessness between 2022 and 2024, a trend we expect to continue.
Supportive housing programs like ours play a crucial role in reducing the number of people living outside and ultimately help people exit shelters. This is a significant issue in our community no matter what happens with the Federal budget. To put this in a statewide perspective, almost 20 percent of people experiencing homelessness in Maryland are in Montgomery County. Cuts to homeless services programs will have deep and lasting impacts in our community.
There is much we don’t know right now. But consider this: with the proposed HUD cuts discussed in the news, IW programs would lose at least $1 million in federal funding, and that is just our organization. We must look at the bigger picture. We are part of a robust system of care in our County involving many partner organizations who will be hit hard as well. The expected shrinking of available resources comes at a time when pressures on the system are likely to grow with many residents hit by Federal layoffs potentially seeking help, some for the first time ever.
Shelters are a last resort for many people. If these programs cease to exist, our community will be facing a stark reality: very visible evidence of just how many people do not have access to a place to sleep, live, or even get a meal.
I confess I find the claims of cuts in the name of cost savings rather ironic. We know that keeping people out of emergency situations and helping them live independently (with some targeted assistance) will always be the more cost-effective approach.
In the face of this dire situation, what do we do?
Earlier this month, IW staff and board members went to Annapolis to speak directly to state lawmakers to advocate for the needs of our clients and to share the importance of our services. We will continue these discussions to ensure we have sustained support at the state level. We also will be sharing the impacts of these cuts with our elected officials in Congress, so they understand the potential crisis that is coming if services go away as the number of people who need them is growing.
You may be feeling powerless or uncertain about what the future holds. I urge you to stay informed about these issues. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Find out who your representatives are and share your concerns with them. In whatever way you feel encouraged to, please speak up. Your voice matters.
Even though we don’t know how far the consequences of these proposed cuts will go, we will never be silent or complacent. We will always advocate for the needs and rights of all our neighbors, and we will never stop speaking up about the things that matter. I hope you will consider adding your voice too.
Courtney Hall, Interfaith Works CEO