National Coalition for the Homeless

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Please personalize this letter to your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators, including any personal stories that are relevant. Send this letter via email or fax as they are the most effective ways of reaching your representative due to the post 9/11 anthrax concerns regarding posted mail. You can find your representative’s fax machine numbers and email addresses on www.house.gov and www.senate.gov by searching their names. Please send a copy of any letters and responses you receive to Michael Stoops at the National Coalition for the Homeless at mstoops@nationalhomeless.org or by fax (202) 462-4823.

Date

The Honorable [insert full name]                                 The Honorable [insert full name]
United States Senate                                                     United States House of Representatives
Washington D.C. 20510                                                           Washington D.C. 20515

Dear Senator/Representative [insert full name],

I am requesting your assistance in seeking a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into the nature and scope of hate crimes and violent acts against people experiencing homelessness. The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) is supported in this request by over 400 organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Council of La Raza, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, National League of Cities, National Organization of Women (NOW), and Volunteers of America.

Throughout the nation, people experiencing homelessness, advocates, and service providers report an alarming increase in the number and scope of violent acts against people who lack permanent housing. These accounts include beatings, murders, arson, harassment, and damage of personal property. Homeless men, women, and children around the nation are particularly vulnerable to crimes against them because they represent an easy, visible target and often lack a place to retreat for safety and protection.

A GAO study would assist Congress and the public in obtaining much-needed information on the extent and scope of violent acts and crimes against people experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, such an investigation would help federal, state, and local officials identify actions that could be taken to prevent and reduce such crimes.

NCH has done annual reports on this problem over the past seven years (1999 – 2005). These reports document hate crimes and violent acts committed against people experiencing homelessness. These reports can be found at www.nationalhomeless.org/hatecrimes. From 1999 through 2005, there have been 472 acts of violence, resulting in 169 deaths of people experiencing homelessness, and 303 victims of non-lethal violence. These incidents took place in 165 different cities from 42 states and Puerto Rico. The youngest victim was four months old; the oldest was 74 years old. (Insert relevant information from your city/state). A study by the GAO would aid in protecting one of the most vulnerable populations in our society.

If you would like further information on this critical issue please contact me at:

Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,