The Our Homes, Our Voices National Housing Week of Action – over 110 events around the country – has gained strong support by members of Congress. National legislators that have been vocal in support of Our Homes, Our Voices include Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), as well as Representatives Dave Reichert (R-WA), Nadia Velasquez (D-NY), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Nanette Barragan (D-CA). We thank these and other elected officials for advocating for solutions to the affordable housing crisis in America!
Below are more details about a few of the many the events that happened yesterday, May 4:
The New York Housing Conference held a press conference with Representatives Nadia Valesquez and Hakeem Jeffries, who spoke on the steps of New York City Hall in support of low income residents of HUD-assisted housing and against the administration’s proposed rent increases and benefit cuts.
Mass ADAPT held a rally outside of HUD’s offices in Boston, Massachusetts, to demand more accessible and affordable housing for people with disabilities.
The Fairbanks Housing & Homeless Coalition (FHHC) hosted a community conversation about homelessness and social services in Interior Alaska. The discussion included an overview of the data related to housing and homelessness in and around Fairbanks, followed by testimonies from various agencies about their programs and from clients that have benefitted from them.
There are 24 events happening today, May 5, as part of the Our Homes, Our Voices Housing Week of Action! Events include:
San Rafael, CA: The Maria B. Freitas Senior Community will host an open house and teach-in on senior housing issues.
Tampa, FL: Tampa advocates will hold a press conference to demand that electoral candidates make affordable housing a top priority when they run for office. The group will meet in front of an affordable housing complex that was recently vacated in Tampa. To learn more click here.
West Palm Beach, FL: The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County is revamping their Real Change Meters Program and will organize volunteers around service to the program and its fundraising efforts.
Columbus, GA: Georgia Watch and the Georgia Chapter of Energy Efficiency for All will host an energy equity forum on how to reduce monthly energy bills. Learn more here.
Frankfort, KY: The Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky will host a nonpartisan voter registration drive. To learn more, click here.
New Orleans, LA: The Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance will host an encore performance and closing reception of “The Rent is Too Damn High!” To learn more visit https://color-bloc.com/
Baltimore, MD: Housing Our Neighbors will host a “Housing is a Human Right” spaghetti dinner for the homeless at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Maryland: Homes for America will host voter registration events in 48 residential communities across Maryland.
Cambridge, MA: The City of Cambridge will host an affordable housing rally with City Councilors and members of the Cambridge community in support of affordable housing. Learn more here. Also in Cambridge, the City will host a community celebration of affordable housing. Learn more here.
Long Branch, NJ: Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County will build wheelchair ramps and walls for a Momouth Habitat build. Nearly 100 women volunteers will assist in the building of these structures.
Plainfield, NJ: Greater Plainfield and Middlesex County Habitat will host a group of 25 women to build a home in Plainfield.
New York City, NY: Advocates, community leaders, community groups, residents, and elected officials will hold a rally to lift their voices in support of protecting our homes and communities. The event is hosted by Rutgers Houses Resident Association.
Albemarle, Burlington, Chapel Hill, Durham, and New Bern, NC: United Church Homes and Services will host call-in days, with participants calling the offices of elected officials in support of affordable homes. The events will be held at senior supportive housing residences managed by the organization. Residents as well as community members and elected officials are welcome to participate.
Cincinnati, OH: The Jurisdiction-Wide Resident Advisory Board (J-RAB) will host a rally for our homes.
Oregon: The Oregon Housing Alliance will host a Faith Communities Day of Action. For more information, click here. They’ll also host a call-in day to federal legislators. Learn more here.
Memphis, TN: H.O.P.E. (Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality) will host a Tent City Event focused on affordable housing and solidarity with those experiencing homelessness.
Nashville, TN: The PATHE Coalition will gather the people of Nashville to express the priorities of their communities regarding gentrification. Click here to learn more.
Centralia, WA: Resident Action Project (RAP) leaders will host a fair organized by friends in the community without a home, including games for children, karaoke, face painting, and balloon animals.
Keep up the great pushes on social media! Use #OurHomesOurVoices, tag @OurHomesVoices on Twitter, and join the Our Homes, Our Voices Facebook group: https://bit.ly/2jsYTJs.”
It’s not too late to add events to our website. Reach out to us at: ourhomes@nlihc.org