Public Statement on Federal Funding Freeze

This week a federal court judge extended a temporary restraining order against the Office of Management and Budget’s attempt to freeze funding for federal grants and programs. This restraining order expands the scope of the initial stay issued last week. The order forbids the administration “from implementing, giving effect to, or reinstating under a different name the directives in the original OMB memo.”

While this news came as a welcome relief, we remain gravely concerned about future cuts to federal funding as spending is aligned with the administration’s agenda.

The programs at HopePHL most impacted by a funding freeze receive 60% or more funding from Federal sources, and include: 

• 238 units of housing and services for families with low incomes, families and youth experiencing homelessness, families fleeing domestic violence and individuals with disabilities.  

• Youth Emergency Service, our respite shelter for youth ages 12-17. 

• Runaway Homeless Youth support services for youth ages 12-17. 

• Neighborhood Advisory Committee, a referral system connecting West Philadelphians in 19104, 19131, and 19139 with City services and legal resources to combat housing insecurity.  

• Baring House Crisis Nursery, a childcare center for families with urgent childcare needs and no childcare subsidy. 

• Communities in Schools, a School District of Philadelphia program that supports all students at Richard Wright School by removing barriers to attendance, engagement, and achievement. 

• Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services, a Department of Human Services and School District of Philadelphia program that engages students and families prior to truancy court to eliminate obstacles to attendance for students. 

• Family Empowerment Services, a Department of Human Services contract used as a preventative measure to keep families from needing DHS involvement.​

These programs act as a safety net for families, youth, and young children facing homelessness or housing insecurity.

At HopePHL, we are proud of our nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory efforts to serve every family and youth experiencing homelessness, and West Philadelphia residents, who engage us, as our contracts allow, and funding will accommodate. HopePHL serves 4,000 children a year and our community development work impacts 20,000 households.

HopePHL’s economic impact includes: 

• 2M+ safe nights of housing for 20,000 parents, children, and youth. 

• $2M+ in rental and utility assistance to prevent homelessness and housing insecurity. 

• 3M+ healthy meals for families, youth, and the elderly, and
• $100M in capital investments in the built environments of Belmont, Mantua, Mill Creek, Saunders Park, and West Powelton.​​

​There are over 1.8 million non-profits like HopePHL in the United States, running the gamut of offerings from financial education, small business services, literacy support, education, housing, workforce training, and resources for survivors of criminal acts. Many of which will endure financial distress and face closure with reductions in federal funds. Non-profits are sustained by a workforce of 12 million employees (more than manufacturing, construction, or finance industries) that collectively contribute $1 trillion to the United States Economy (5% of the annual GDP).

For these reasons, we urge you to send the letter below to elected and appointed officials at all levels of government, and email signed copies to [email protected].  

Click Here for Letter Template For Supporters