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Urge State Legislators to Oppose Overriding Gov. Holcomb’s Veto of the Eviction Bill SEA 148 during this COVID-19 Winter!
The Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance and the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition are very concerned about the potential override of Governor Holcomb’s veto of 2020’s eviction bill, SEA 148. An override of the veto will result in increased and expedited evictions and homelessness and a domino effect of negative impacts on Hoosiers’ public health and local and statewide economic recovery efforts.
We are asking our partners and friends to call their state legislators and urge them not to override Gov. Holcomb's veto of Eviction Bill SEA 148 during this COVID-19 winter.
Given the critical importance of rental housing to a third of Hoosiers, especially during a continuing public health crisis, we can't afford to increase evictions and the resulting homelessness in Indiana.
Use this action alert to connect with your lawmakers and let them know why evictions, homelessness, and public health are important to you and your community. Legislators tell us they take calls to their office very seriously, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Personalizing Your Message!
Please make your message is personal, as they often move elected officials to act more than general form messages. Consider utilizing a faith-based quote that calls you to act.
Tips for Calling Legislators:
Calling your elected officials is the BEST way to get them to act. You do not need to be a policy expert to call your elected officials. While you might but nervous when calling remember they are here to hear from their constituents.
- Make it personal if you can.
- Tell how this bill will affect you/your community.
- Be clear and concise.
- Be respectful.
- Stick to the facts (see below for facts!)
- Always give your full mailing address.
Facts for Talking Points!
EFFECTS DUE TO LACK OF HOUSING:
Our home is a place where we can sleep, eat, clean up, learn, live together with our family, and be protected from the weather and outside dangers. Housing is the base of operations for everything in our lives, including employment, schooling, access to necessities, and it provides us with community. Almost one third (30.7%) of all Hoosiers depend on rental housing to provide a home.
- Harms physical health, mental health, emotional development, and ability to learn;
- Increases the risk of abuse and physical trauma;
- Leads to increased removal of children and is an obstacle to reunification;
- Creates barriers to obtaining and retaining employment;
- During a public health crisis and pandemic increases the likelihood of infection, the severity of illness, inability to safely quarantine, and more significant disease spreading.
ABOUT THE LANGUAGE/PROCESS:
The harmful language was added to an unrelated Senate bill at the end of the 2020 session. It negatively affects the rental housing needs of about 2 million Hoosiers. There was no significant opportunity for input, vetting, or negotiation.
- Language, which ended up in SEA 148, was added on the last day for House Judiciary Committee hearings. This language was never filed as legislation and never posted for hearing before a standing Senate or House committee.
- Hoosiers deserve appropriate vetting of legislation that affects housing for a third of our State, especially during a continuing public health crisis. A fair legislative committee process would provide all parties with a meaningful opportunity for input and consideration. Please do not override the Governor's veto of SEA 148. Please, instead, thoroughly review and consider these issues in the upcoming session.
SEA 148 HARMFULNESS TO TENANTS:
- Pre-empts all past and future ordinances by local governments relating to any aspect of the landlord-tenant relationship, tying localities' hands to address local rental housing needs and issues.
- Expands the process for expedited evictions, allowing less opportunity for negotiation or voluntary relocation, leading to greater homelessness, instability, and harmful health and societal outcomes.
- Replaces local anti-retaliation ordinances with language that falls short of protecting tenants.
Sorry, we're not targeting any elected officials in your district. But, you can still help!
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