[PHILADELPHIA] What will the next Governor and Senator do about the fact that Philadelphia’s poverty rate is the most of any large city and street homelessness is on the rise? While these issues have barely been raised in the election campaign, they are the focus of a Voters Guide – including responses by Senate candidates Rick Santorum (R) and Bob Casey (D) and gubernatorial candidates Ed Rendell (D) and Lynn Swann (R). The Guide will be released Thursday, October 19, at 10:30 am at Project H.O.M.E. (1515 Fairmount Avenue) by the Election 2006: Vote for Homes! coalition.

Harrisburg, PA – On February 1, 2006, community organizations, volunteers, concerned citizens, and community leaders will gather at the Harrisburg Capitol to rally against House Bill 1318. This growing statewide coalition, Protect Our Vote, will spend the day meeting with state representatives to urge them to vote “no” to House Bill 1318, which could affect the voting rights of tens of thousands of Pennsylvania voters.

Teams of volunteers will reach out to shelter residents, offering rides, moral support, and other assistance. By registering in historic-high numbers, shelter residents have demonstrated that they will vote in this election and bring their issues – housing, employment, and social services – to the polls with them. Thousands of homeless and low-income
voters have been registered and will get out to vote.