WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Homeless Alliance of Western New York joined hundreds of advocates from across the country in the nation’s capital for the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference and Capitol Hill Day, where service providers, people with lived experience, policy experts, and community leaders united to advocate for proven solutions to end homelessness.
Representing Western New York, the Homeless Alliance met with members of Congress and their staff to share the challenges facing our region, highlighting the need for continued federal investment in housing and homelessness programs, and ensuring the voices of local communities were heard on the national stage. The Homeless Alliance was part of a collective group that reached approximately three-quarters of the U.S. Senate during the national conference.
“A key theme at the conference was strengthening partnerships among local government, nonprofits, and the private sector to maximize resources for homeless services amid funding gaps and uncertainty,” said Evan Coyle, Coordinated Entry Systems Specialist for the Homeless Alliance. “These conversations reinforced that no single organization can solve homelessness alone. Collaboration is one of the most effective tools we have for addressing this challenge, and those lessons will help strengthen our work and partnerships here in Western New York.”
During meetings with lawmakers, service providers and advocates called for:
- $5.1 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants
- $1.85 billion to address the growing housing needs of older adults, the fastest-growing population experiencing homelessness across the United States
- $45.6 billion to preserve federal rental assistance that keeps millions of Americans stably housed and out of homelessness
“It is important to have the opportunity to talk to policymakers about the real life experiences of the people in their district, and the impact that a loss of funding would have on everyone,” said Maddie Fooks, Coordinated Entry Specialist for the Homeless Alliance. “We are eager to take advantage of as many advocacy opportunities as possible and to make our voices heard. Because behind every policy discussion is a person, a family, or a neighbor who deserves a safe place to call home. We were proud to bring those stories to Washington and ensure our community’s voice was part of the conversation.”
MAKING SURE WESTERN NEW YORK WAS REPRESENTED ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
Ending homelessness requires more than one organization. It requires an entire community working together. That’s why the Homeless Alliance made a significant investment to ensure Western New York was represented by more than just its own staff at this year’s National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference and Capitol Hill Day.
By providing conference registration and travel assistance, the Alliance helped 13 local organizations, representing 20 staff members, participate in the national event. The investment removed financial barriers and created opportunities for more voices from the region to be part of the conversations shaping the future of homelessness policy and practice.
Every additional representative meant another perspective at the table, another opportunity to build relationships with national leaders and peers, and another chance to bring innovative ideas back to Western New York.
By investing in our partners, the Homeless Alliance strengthened the region’s collective voice and reinforced a simple belief: the most meaningful progress happens when communities learn, advocate, and lead together.
It was more than an investment in conference attendance. It was an investment in Western New York.
The Homeless Alliance itself was represented by Kexin Ma (Executive Director), Nathan Pyzikiewicz (HMIS Director), Evan Coyle (Coordinated Entry Systems Specialist), and Maddie Fooks (Coordinated Entry Specialist).
MUCH MORE THAN MEETINGS
While meeting with elected officials was a key part of Capitol Hill Day, the week was filled with opportunities to learn, collaborate, and bring new ideas back to Western New York.
From educational workshops and policy briefings to keynote presentations and networking with advocates from across the country, Homeless Alliance staff and regional partners gained valuable insights into the latest strategies, best practices, and federal initiatives aimed at preventing and ending homelessness.
The conversations extended far beyond the conference halls. Attendees exchanged ideas with communities facing many of the same challenges as Western New York, explored innovative approaches to housing and supportive services, and built lasting relationships that will help strengthen local, regional and national partnerships to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness throughout Western New York.