An anti-poverty citizen group is urging the Bellingham City Council to pass a resolution putting the Bellingham Home Fund proposal on the November ballot.

The MLK Poverty Action Committee wants city council members to allow Bellingham residents to decide whether to increase low-income housing investments in the city, according to an April 29 press release from the group.

“We believe that all of our neighbors deserve nutritious food to eat, a safe and affordable place to live, access to affordable health care, and affordable education to succeed and thrive,” said Jim Cozad, the group’s chairman. “Everyone who wants to work should have the tools, skills and opportunity to do so.”

The group’s next meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on May 9 in the Opportunity Council conference room at 1111 Cornwall Ave.

The proposed Bellingham Home Fund would put construction workers back to work, group members say, as well as provide low-income housing opportunities.

The number of homeless children in local schools has grown 59 percent from 2007 to 2011, according to data collected by Whatcom Readiness to Learn.