Washington, D.C. – Hundreds of refugees in the Washington, D.C. metro area are at risk for homelessness and food insecurity as federal grant funding still has not been released. Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), which has served the Washington, D.C. metro area for over 100 years, has not been reimbursed for nearly $2 million in essential services rendered, putting our new neighbors and LSSNCA’s operations in jeopardy.
“For decades, throughout Republican and Democratic administrations, LSSNCA has provided services to refugees arriving legally through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to our communities in partnership with the federal government,” said Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO. “At LSSNCA, we believe everyone deserves the right to be safe, and we are inspired by our faith and our nation’s legacy as a beacon of hope to welcome the stranger and care for the most vulnerable. The lack of payment hampers LSSNCA’s ability to provide essential services to hundreds of vulnerable families and individuals in our community, including Afghan Allies, who risked their lives to assist with U.S. missions in Afghanistan.”
LSSNCA has spent nearly $2,000,000 on services it was contracted to provide for federally funded programs. As part of these contracts, LSSNCA is required to spend its funds and then file for reimbursement, but these funds have not been received. This compounds the challenges imposed by the stop work order the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) issued to resettlement agencies on January 24, which resulted in LSSNCA abruptly ending critical wraparound support for nearly 400 refugees who arrived with legal status within the past 90 days. LSSNCA, along with its community members, volunteers, and congregations, is desperately trying to bridge the gap to ensure refugees and Afghan Allies have critical support to rebuild their lives.
“The continued delay in receipt of federal funds has resulted in the heartbreaking decision to layoff 42 members of our team and furlough 26,” said Peck. “These are valued colleagues who have dedicated their careers to helping the most vulnerable and who worked for LSSNCA as it deeply aligns with their values, and now they are vulnerable. Furthermore, due to the cashflow challenges the lack of reimbursement has created, we are unable to fund Friday’s payroll for nearly half our staff,” she said.
LSSNCA implores the administration to release federal funding immediately and to rescind the PRM stop work order. It also calls on members of Congress to uplift the value refugees bring to our communities and the importance of services to welcome them.
LSSNCA, a community-based human service agency, has served the local Washington, D.C. metro area since 1917. LSSNCA provides housing placement and rental support, food, workforce development, intensive case management, and legal and mental health services to community members who have been forced to flee life-threatening situations and are seeking to rebuild their lives in the United States.
