From Housing Justice to Civic Power: Vermont Action Summit Builds Momentum for Tenant-Centered Civic Engagement

By Tia Turner, NLIHC Project Manager, Our Homes, Our Votes

On April 25, partners from across Vermont gathered for the From Housing Justice to Civic Power: Vermont Action Summit, a collaborative event bringing together tenant leaders, advocates, service providers, and policymakers to explore the intersection of housing justice and civic engagement. That more than two dozen participants joined on a sunny Saturday afternoon is a testament to the urgency of this work and the commitment across the state to building a more equitable and inclusive democracy.

The summit opened with grounding reflections that invited participants to connect their personal journeys to the broader movement for housing justice and civic participation. This framing carried into a powerful panel discussion moderated by NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes campaign project manager, Tia Turner, featuring David Foss, Rev. Mark Hughes, Lindsay St. Amour, Alex Karambelas, and Rep. Saudia LaMont. Panelists offered a candid and insightful conversation on the real-time challenges facing Vermont communities, including threats to voting access, housing instability, and the need for stronger tenant-centered advocacy. Rep. LaMont underscored the importance of accountable leadership and centering the lived experiences of Vermonters in policymaking, while panelists collectively emphasized that advancing housing justice requires protecting and expanding access to the ballot. 

Following the panel, participants moved into interactive Action Labs designed to translate discussion into action. Sessions focused on policy rapid response, tenant power and storytelling, local civic engagement planning, and broader power-building strategies for housing justice and voter access. These breakout discussions created space for participants to think critically about their roles, identify concrete next steps, and build shared strategies for advancing tenant-centered civic engagement across Vermont. The report-back session reinforced a collective commitment to action and highlighted opportunities for continued collaboration.

The summit concluded with remarks from Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, who provided practical guidance on engaging with legislators and emphasized the importance of sustained advocacy in advancing housing and voting rights. Participants were then invited to take immediate civic action through a voter registration effort supported by the League of Women Voters, the Burlington Board of Voter Registration, and the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office.

Beyond the content of the day, a key outcome of the summit was the strengthening of relationships across organizations and individuals working at the intersection of housing and democracy. Building and sustaining these connections will be critical to continuing this work and ensuring that renters across Vermont are informed, engaged, and empowered.

NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes campaign is deeply grateful to all who contributed to making this event possible. This summit reflects the core of OHOV’s work: connecting housing justice to civic participation and equipping communities with the tools and strategies needed to build power. We look forward to continuing this momentum and working alongside partners to strengthen coordination, uplift tenant voices, and expand civic engagement efforts across Vermont.