MAIL Act Proposed to Combat Homelessness by Providing Free Post Office Boxes
Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., has introduced the Mail Accessibility and Inclusion for Low-Income Families (MAIL) Act, a federal proposal aimed at alleviating homelessness by offering free post office boxes to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This initiative is inspired by successful local programs, such as the one run by So Others Might Eat (SOME) in Washington, D.C., which has been providing mail services to approximately 3,000 homeless individuals since the COVID pandemic. Advocates for the MAIL Act emphasize that having a stable mailing address is crucial for individuals to access essential services, apply for jobs, receive government benefits like stimulus checks and tax returns, and obtain vital documents such as birth certificates and social security cards. The proposed legislation would require Congress to appropriate funds to cover the costs of purchasing and installing these P.O. boxes, as well as compensating the Postal Service for any lost revenue.
