Sample communications related to federal funding

The Chicago Continuum of Care has assembled some draft language you can use for communications with landlords and program participants. Please click on the arrows below to see text you can copy and paste to use in letters.

Draft messaging to send to Landlords

Dear Partner (or customize), 

As you may be aware, on Monday, January 27th, the White House directed the Office of Management and Budget to order all federal agencies to temporarily block activities associated with the obligation and disbursement of all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance within 24 hours. As of Wednesday, January 29th at noon, the executive order has been rescinded.  

Out of an abundance of caution, I want to make you aware of the situation. Any delay, pause or restriction of federal funding – which is far beyond our control – may impact our ability to make rent payments on time in the future. Please know that you are a valued partner and we are doing our very best to meet the obligations we share in the midst of this volatile situation. 

We are in this work together and one thing I would encourage you to do is to remain aware about other directives or actions that may come through the White House that can negatively impact your role as vital small business leader in our community. If you are interested in sharing how any pause or elimination of federal funding would impact your business, I encourage you to consider reviewing action opportunities from these two organizations. 

National Alliance to End Homelessness   https://endhomelessness.org/help-end-homelessness/take-action/National Low Income Housing Coalition https://nlihc.org/take-action  

Thank you again for your commitment to our community. 

Name 

Title and Organization Name 

Contact information 

Draft messaging to send to Program Participants

Dear Program Participants (or customize), 

We are sending this message to all program participants of housing programs at our organization.  

Recently, the United States White House directed all federal agencies to temporarily block activities associated with making payments to non-profit providers providing homeless services. The order was quickly rescinded and is not in effect as of [today’s date].   

We are notifying you because you are enrolled in a program that receives funding from the federal government. This funding allows us to provide services to you and pay your rent.  As you may have heard about this funding pause in the news or from neighbors, we wanted to provide information to you about how this may affect you. 

Right now, there is no effect on the housing supports, services, or rental payments for you or other program participants. Going forward, if the situation changes, we will notify program participants as soon as possible.  

Please know that we are doing everything we can to ensure you remain safely housed. [Optional: If you are interested in helping advocate for continued funding, please let your case manager know and we can share more information with you.] 

As a reminder, landlords cannot process an eviction until after failure to pay rent has occurred. Should this happen, because your rent is paid with federal funding, landlords would be required to provide a 30-day notice. If you receive any communication from landlords threatening eviction, please let your case manager know right away. You can direct additional questions to the resources listed below. 

Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (855) 956-5763 The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rentervention (312) 347-7600 rentervention.com Text “hi” to 866.7RENTER (866.773.6837) Rentervention is free and confidential. 

Sincerely, 

Name 

Title and Organization Name 

Contact information