CAMPAIGN PICKS UP SPEED: Things have been busy this Spring! The Homes for New Jersey campaign continues to pick up momentum, and we have good news to share with all of you. As you may know, we have recently achieved some important successes, including the sweeping victory of the SRAP Postcard Campaign to the Governor and Governor Corzine's inclusive 2007 Budget proposal (which increased funding for SRAP to 40 million). Increasing state funds for SRAP remains one of Homes for New Jersey's major policy priorities for 2006.

BUDGET HEARINGS: Here's the challenge. The Legislature has not yet passed the Governor's proposal. In March, we asked Homes partners to volunteer to testify on behalf of SRAP. We were heartened by the enthusiastic response we received! We'd especially like to recognize Etta Denk, David Weiner, and Jim Ragan who took time out of their busy schedules (and endured uncomfortable seating for hours while waiting) to testify. We thank them for their patience and commitment!

IN THE PAPERS! We've also been increasing public awareness and support for SRAP funding through local and regional papers! An Op-Ed written by Co-Chair Tim Touhey and Executive Board Member Deborah DeSantis has appeared in The Burlington Times, The Bergen Record, The Herald News, The Allentown Examiner, The Trenton Times, The Hub, The Courier Post, and The Ocean County Observer. The list of publications expands every week, and our phones have been ringing off the hook with related requests for information.

NEW SRAP ADVOCACY TOOLKIT: With these tools, we hope you will take action to encourage the legislature to approve urgently needed funds for the State's Rental Assistance Program, without which many New Jersey citizens would have to leave the state, or worse yet, face homelessness.
http://www.homesfornj.com/srap_toolkit.html

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Want to spread the word about Homes for New Jersey in your region? Why not contact your local paper in a Letter to the Editor? If you are interested, please contact Campaign Coordinator Kim Nagy, coordinator@homesfornj.com at 609-393-3752, ext. 25.

DON'T FORGET TO SAVE THE DATE JUNE 15-RALLY TO SUPPORT GOVERNOR'S BUDGET: Show your support for the Governor's budget proposal. We hope to see you there! You can sign up right now at the following link:
http://www.homesfornj.com/dl.php?file=rallyforjustice.pdf

SUPPORT GROWS: Homes for New Jersey continues to gain supporters. We currently have more than 280 partners. Encourage others to sign up! They can easily do so in a few easy steps online: http://www.homesfornj.com/join_us.html

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER LIST: See our most recent list of Steering Committee Members at the following link:
http://www.homesfornj.org/steering_committee.html

DONATE ONLINE: The Homes for New Jersey Web site is accepting donations online. Your tax-deductible contribution is critical to supporting our media, legislative and community outreach efforts. If you prefer to mail your donation, please send a check payable to the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey/Homes for New Jersey, 145 West Hanover Street, Trenton, NJ 08618. The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, a 501c3 organization, is the fiscal agent for the Homes for New Jersey campaign and receives no fee for this service. To donate online, go to:
http://www.homesfornj.com/donate.html