But teens can play a powerful role if they learn, focus, and act…
In order to help build a more just and equitable future, the Population Health Learning Collaborative desires to engage and support teens across the U.S. on addressing three major (and complex) aspects of the housing crisis that have a major disproportionate negative impact on people of color.
Three Drivers of Housing Injustice
THE SHORTAGE OF HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE PLACES TO LIVE (APARTMENTS & HOMES)…
The housing industry does not create nearly enough forms of housing that are affordable, ownable, and located near jobs and transportation.
Local regulations, like zoning and building codes, create barriers to more integrated, dense, and equitable neighborhoods.
THE SYSTEMATIC DISCRIMINATION AND INJUSTICE OF HOUSING PRACTICES THAT EMPHASIZES EVICTION AND THE EXTRACTION OF MONEY FROM VULNERABLE PEOPLE OF COLOR…
Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Matthew Desmond, compares the eviction crisis among women of color to the incarceration crisis that impacts men of color. Check out this recording of Matthew Desmond talking about his book, “Evicted”.
Rental practices are often driven by short-term greed without regard for the damage done to individuals or communities.
THE CURRENT “HOUSING APOCALYPSE” DRIVEN BY THE UNEMPLOYMENT CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC…
The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedent layoffs and income loss that is hitting people of color especially hard.
Short-term (and unsustainable) steps to help renters and homeowners cope with unemployment and the inabilitity to make rent or mortgage payments are ending soon. Many people of color are in a serious crisis. Thery are deeper in debt and without a clear path to make payments.
The ability to address the crisis of any individual is greatly enhanced when the larger community works together to develp and implement strategies for change and systems of support.
Knowledge is power.
Invest time in learning so you can be equipped to advance the most beneficial strategies - not quick fixes that can end up being counterproductive.
This 10-minute video is one step in building knowledge on this important issue (and efforts to address it.)
Teens can play a powerful role in motivating leaders in their communities to take actions to learn new ways to address the big challenges.
Leaders in many local organizations should participate in the Virtual Summit on “Innovations in Naturally Affordable Housing”.
This online event (and resources) will help leaders from many different parts of the community (the mayor's office, hospitals, faith communities, housing providers, and others) learn how to increase the supply of housing that is more affordable without always needing big government subsidies.
Community leaders should participate on the On Demand webinar: Rapid Responses for Communities to Address the COVID-19 “Housing Apocalypse”.
This two-part webinar series (July 23 and July 24) will introduce five powerful things that communities can quickly do to improve their response to the crisis facing many renters and homeowners who had a dramatic drop in income due to the pandemic and cannot pay their rent or mortgages.
Both parts of the webinar are available in an On Demand format.
Part 2 of the Webinar goes into more details on each of the 5 recommended responses.
Action Center: Powerful Steps For Teens To Take
Action Plans for august:
If a large number of teens in a community work together to focus their effort on spurring some specific actions, they can have a great impact.
Email and call targeted people and encourage them to participate in the virtual summit on “Innovations in Naturally Affordable Housing” and the webinars on Rapid Responses for Communities to Address the COVID-19 “Housing Apocalypse”.
The virtual summit website lists “Who should attend” these events. Search to find people or organizations in those roles in your community, and find their contact information. Ask them to take this step to be part of the solution. The more community organizations that participate in these powerful events, the easier it will be for your community to take action.
Sign up and learn for yourself: The more you educate yourselves on the details of the practical strategies to address these complex issues, the better positioned you will be to be part of the solution - for your own situation and for those of the broader community. Take advantage of the Free Pass for the Virtual Summit and access the Video Library today!
Read and subscribe to the virtual eBook “The Pandemic-Driven HOusing Crisis Can Save Our Cities. Here’s How…
New or different actions will be added and updated every several weeks. Be sure to check back to learn what else you can do!