Housing Opportunities | Economic Security
Faith Groups Hail Passage of Financial Reform Legislation

PICO National Network, July 16, 2010

Faith and community leaders from the PICO National Network – an alliance of 1,000 congregations from 17 states – applaud today’s passage of legislation to rein in the greedy and irresponsible behavior of the nation’s biggest banks.

Housing Opportunities | Economic Security | Neighborhood Revitalization
Community Leaders Bring U.S. Treasury to San Jose

People Acting in Community Together (PACT San Jose), June 23, 2010

Obama’s Promise of Help for Homeowners is Failing Changes Needed to Hold Banks Accountable

Immigration Reform
Thousands Join Coordinated Faith Rallies for Immigration Reform

PICO National Network, June 08, 2010

Diverse faith communities from PICO National Network coordinated large rallies in 6 states and 11 cities across the U.S. to call on Congress and the Administration to move swiftly towards fair and humane immigration reform.

Immigration Reform
Arizona Law Renews Faith Community’s Fight for Immigration Reform

PICO National Network, Queens Congregations United for Action (QCUA), April 27, 2010

Events across the Country this Weekend Condemn AZ Law, Call for Comprehensive Reform Now

Economic Security
More Than 10,000 People to Converge on Big Banks to End Wall Street's Stranglehold on the Economy

PICO National Network, April 26, 2010

This week, more than 10,000 Americans will participate in a series of major rallies and marches to demand that big banks start putting America's economic recovery ahead of their oversized profits and bonusesThe mobilizations are organized by a broad coalition of organizations including National People’s Action, PICO faith-based network, Service Employees International Union, the AFL-CIO, and North Carolina United Power/IAF Southeast.

Housing Opportunities | Economic Security
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, TREASURY, HUD HIT "SINGLES" ON TWO FORECLOSURE ISSUES BUT "STRIKE OUT" ON HELP FOR MILLIONS OF UNEMPLOYED HOMEOWNERS

PICO National Network, March 26, 2010

Unemployed homeowners face particular challenges around foreclosure, since they are not eligible for a loan modification under HAMP. For many months, PICO has been meeting with and asking the Obama Administration to develop a loan program to help homeowners save their homes until they find new employment and can then pay back the loan. Unfortunately, the Administration doesn't seem to grasp the urgency of addressing this group of homeowners in a way that takes into account not just the current dilemma but the future consequences - to family, community, and nation -- that will come from assistance inadequate to the enormity of the problem.

Housing Opportunities | Economic Security
Latest Numbers Show Bank of America Continuing to Lag Far Behind Other Big Banks in Performing Loan Modifications

Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), PICO National Network, January 15, 2010

"On average, homeowners are fifteen times more likely to get a permanent loan modification if they have another servicer than Bank of America," said Rev. Dr. Mario Howell, pastor with Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization and PICO National Network, who hosted senior executives from Bank of America at his church in Antioch this past Tuesday for a negotiation session on the bank’s poor record of performing loan modifications.

Health Care Access
At Faith and Family Groups' Summit, U.S. Reps. Commit to Make Affordability Their Priority in Health Reform Bill

PICO National Network, January 13, 2010

At the "National Affordability Summit" on Capitol Hill this morning, 200 clergy, grassroots leaders and families from across the country were joined by Members of Congress, including leaders from key House Health Committees, who committed to making affordability their priority in final health care bill negotiations.

Housing Opportunities | Economic Security
Faith Groups Escalate National Accountability Campaign with Bank of America

Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), People Acting in Community Together (PACT San Jose), PICO National Network, January 13, 2010

"Bank of America had nothing - no new ideas or proposals to offer to keep families in their homes and end the suffering in our communities," said Rev. Lucy Kolin, from Oakland Community Organizations and PICO National Network, who led the negotiation session. "We offered them a clear statement of the bottom line: Keep people in their homes. Do no harm. Put in place a moratorium so that Bank of America can get its act together and stop hurting our families and our communities. We went into this meeting willing to be hopeful, but we were disappointed. We will not let disappointment end our commitment."

Health Care Access
750+ Leaders Ask President Obama and Congress to Make Affordability a Priority in Final Health Reform Legislation

PICO National Network, January 08, 2010

750 + Leaders sign open letter in support of strong affordability and coverage provisions for low- and moderate-income Americans

Housing Opportunities
Faith Leaders Call for Reform that Keeps Families in their Homes

PICO National Network, December 14, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC - While President Obama meets today with executives of the nation's largest banks, prominent clergy joined struggling homeowners from California, Massachusetts, and Missouri in front of the U.S. Treasury Department to voice an urgent call for fairness for families facing foreclosure. Telling "a tale of two holidays," the faith leaders contrasted a bountiful celebration for bank executives who will receive billions in holiday bonuses with that of the millions of families who face losing their homes, telling of a crisis not only economic but also moral.

Health Care Access
CBO analysis: Health reform gives people more for their health care dollar

PICO National Network, November 30, 2009

A new CBO analysis finds that tighter regulation of insurance companies and a new Health Care Exchange will reduce average health care costs for individuals by as much as ten percent.

Health Care Access
Grassroots Faith Leaders Praise Historic Step Towards Affordable Health Care For All Americans

PICO National Network, November 07, 2009

Health Care Access
House nails affordability for working families, now it's time for the Senate to do the same

PICO National Network, October 30, 2009

House leadership unveiled legislation yesterday that would extend affordable health coverage to 36 million Americans, while taking important steps to control health care costs, all without adding to the federal deficit.

Health Care Access
Faith Leaders Proclaim Time is Now for Affordable Health Care

PICO National Network, October 16, 2009

After a summer of strong and sustained grassroots organizing in support of health care reform, prominent local pastors from across the country will gather on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, October 20 at 11:00 a.m. to pray and proclaim the moral case for improvements to health reform legislation that would make coverage more affordable for lower-income families.

Health Care Access
Senate Finance Proposal Must Do More to Protect Lower-Income Families

PICO National Network, September 21, 2009

It is by now widely recognized that the Senate Finance Committee proposal must do more to protect working families from high premiums and out-of-pocket costs in order to make an individual mandate practical. As a result, Finance Committee Members have offered many amendments to make coverage more affordable for working families.

Health Care Access
Faith Groups Launch 40 Days for Health Reform Campaign

PICO National Network, August 10, 2009

National Call-in with President Obama, National TV Ad and Events that reach 100 Members of Congress all part of "40 Days for Health Reform"

Immigration Reform
Faith and Immigrant Communities Demand Comprehensive Immigration Reform

People Acting in Community Together (PACT San Jose), August 05, 2009

Thousands urge Congress Member Zoe Lofgren to fix broken immigration system this year.

Health Care Access
100 Religious Leaders Announce 100 Events across U.S. for Health Reform

PICO National Network, July 27, 2009

WASHINGTON - One hundred local clergy, grassroots faith leaders and families who have come to Washington from across the country will hold a prayer rally and press conference this Tuesday morning at 9:30 am at the U.S. Capitol to ratchet up a nationwide faith-based campaign urging Congress to pass comprehensive health reform legislation this year.

Housing Opportunities | Economic Security
Faith & Community Groups Ensure Financial Regulation Protects Everyday Americans with Federal Reserve Meetings in Nine Cities

Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), PICO National Network, July 09, 2009

Following two unprecedented meetings between homeowners affected by the foreclosure crisis and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, this summer representatives from the Federal Reserve will hear directly from everyday people in nine cities across the country about the impacts of the financial crisis on their local communities. Findings will be reported back to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke in the fall.

Health Care Access
400 People Expected for Meeting with Sen. Michael Bennet to Discuss Affordable Healthcare

Metro Organizations for People (MOP), June 30, 2009

Metro Organizations for People (MOP) will hold a public meeting July 2 to advocate for an affordability standard in healthcare reform.

Housing Opportunities
Access to Safe, Affordable Credit Must Be Part of Financial Reform

PICO National Network, June 17, 2009

Washington, DC and Chicago, IL - National People's Action and the PICO National Network applaud the Obama administration's focus on protecting consumers. The creation of the Consumer Financial Protections Agency (CFPA) could be a positive step in the right direction. Real regulatory reform, however, must include an expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act to ensure fair and equal access to credit for all Americans.

United Interfaith Action (UIA) To Meet With School Superintendent Bonner on the School Budget and Drop-Out Prevention

United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts (UIA), May 28, 2009

PICO affiliate Communities Creating Opportunity released this statement today: On Wednesday evening, May 27, over 200 members of United Interfaith Action (UIA) will be holding a public meeting with New Bedford school superintendent, Dr. Bonner, to continue to work together with her on school budget issues and UIA’s drop-out prevention proposals. The meeting will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church (47 S. 6th Street in New Bedford). The meeting will begin at 7 PM.

Health Care Access
Missouri legislature says "Tough Luck" to children, the poor

Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), May 08, 2009

PICO affiliate Communities Creating Opportunity released this statement today: Kansas City, MO -- After a heated and passionate debate on the floor of the Missouri House floor, the bill which would have provided Medicaid to 35,000 low-income adults (House Bill 11) was defeated by a vote of 75 (yes) to 85 (no).

Health Care Access
Success of Health Reform Hinges on Affordability: Faith-based and consumer groups weigh in with Congress

PICO National Network, May 05, 2009

Washington, DC and Boston, MA - In advance of today's highly anticipated Senate Finance Committee Roundtable on Increasing Access to Health Coverage, Community Catalyst and PICO National Network released two issue briefs that explain why the success of health care reform depends on the adoption of a strong, common sense Affordability Standard that limits out-of-pocket health care costs to levels that families at different income levels can afford.

Housing Opportunities
Foreclosure Victims, Clergy on Cross-Country “Recovery Express” Bus Caravan to DC Will Hold Capitol Hill Rally and Prayer Service

PICO National Network, March 06, 2009

PICO's "Recovery Express" Bus Caravan ends an 8-city cross-country tour headed to Washington with a rally and prayer service on Capitol Hill. Clergy and foreclosure victims will call on Congress and the Obama Administration to take bolder action to keep families in their homes, including fixing the bankruptcy code.

Housing Opportunities
PICO commends forward movement on mortgage modification & bankruptcy reform

PICO National Network, March 04, 2009

Today, the federal government took two important steps forward in helping families stay in their homes.

Housing Opportunities
A New Day for Families Struggling to Save their Homes and Communities

PICO National Network, February 18, 2009

Housing Opportunities
Faith leaders call for urgent action by U.S. Treasury to prevent 3 million-plus foreclosures

PICO National Network, February 11, 2009

With more than 40,000 foreclosures each week in the United States, PICO urges Secretary Geithner to act swiftly and boldly to prevent at least 3 million unnecessary foreclosures.

Health Care Access
Congress Must Fully Fund Children’s Health Insurance

PICO National Network, November 15, 2006

On behalf of the PICO Network Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews urges senators voting tomorrow to take care of the least among us and provide health insurance for every child.

Housing Opportunities
Katrina housing aid at-risk in negotiations over emergency spending

PICO Louisiana Interfaith Together (LIFT), May 25, 2006

Clergy members blast the delay in passing federal aid for families to rebuild Louisiana.

Housing Opportunities
Protect Katrina victims in the battle over earmarks, religious leaders tell Congress

PICO Louisiana Interfaith Together (LIFT), May 11, 2006

The PICO Network is pressing Congress to protect housing money for low-income Gulf Coast families in the emergency supplemental spending bill.