NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

NCH was founded in 1982 with the mission of ending homelessness. In 1987 we led the fight for the Stewart B. McKinney Act, helping to pass this landmark legislation which remains the primary federal response to homelessness. Two years later, NCH was one of four sponsors for the Housing Now March on
Washington that brought over 250,000 people to DC. Since this early era of activism, NCH has held regional and national organizing conferences and mobilized hundreds of people who were currently or formerly homeless to act as keynote speakers and government witnesses. NCH was the first national organization to speak up about the issues of rural homelessness, homelessness among veterans, as well as preserving the voting and civil rights of people who are unhoused. Most recently we have helped support passage of Homeless Bills of Rights, run successful petition campaigns against efforts to criminalize homeless folks, and mounted national campaigns for youth shelter and housing vouchers.