Good morning, Chairperson Frumin and Committee on Human Services members. My name is Tatiyana Bell. I’m 26 years old, and I live in Ward 7 with my kids. Â
If DHS makes big cuts to programs like rapid rehousing and ERAP, a lot of young adults could lose their homes. I personally know that ERAP is helpful when you have young kids that you have to take care of and unfortunate circumstances happen like losing your job. You need a way to pay rent to keep a roof over your family’s heads. Programs that assist you with paying your rent help you gain the time to be able to find another job or another solution and not have to worry.Â
If these programs are cut and end services for people, the numbers of youth and family homelessness will rise. Unfortunately, there will not be enough space in shelters for everyone who needs to use these programs to avoid the rise of homelessness. Please restore the cuts to these programs so that families who need it can access these programs.