Coalition on Human Needs

The policies and programs that provide for the basic needs of low-income and vulnerable people are under increasing attack. Efforts to cut or restrict these programs may take many forms, such as funding cuts or caps, transferring authority to states or localities, or restricting eligibility for services. Programs that provide necessities of food, health care, housing/utilities, education, and income and work supports have all seen attempts to curtail, cut funding, limit eligibility, or outright end them. Many threats to these programs have been proposed in the past, and more are expected in future.

In January 2018, CHN began convening a group of advocacy and policy leaders in Washington, D.C. focused on protecting basic needs programs. Through regular calls and a listserv, the group shares information, resources, and strategies. CHN also set up a Protecting Basic Needs Programs resource page on our website to share in-formation with advocates across the country. The page includes an extensive list of resources on Medicaid, SNAP, and housing programs, including both positive outcomes and how threats like work requirements would harm recipients, in addition to other resources on topics such as people with disabilities and older Americans.

The Human Needs Report is CHN’s newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and other vulnerable populations. It is sent to tens of thousands of advocates nationwide on a regular basis and is available on our website.

CHN's blog, Voices for Human Needs, covers a wide range of topics of interest to the human needs community. Posts are written by CHN staff as well as by outside authors to bring a variety of voices to our advocates.