Join Today’s (7/1) “Tenant Talk Live” on Dispelling the Scarcity and Immigrant Crisis Myths

Join NLIHC’s “Tenant Talk Live,” a meeting geared towards tenant and resident leaders, today (July 1) at 6 pm ET (5 pm CT, 4 pm MT, 3 pm PT). This month’s “Tenant Talk Live” will examine the housing issues faced by members of immigrant communities – including limited access to affordable and stable accommodations – which are exacerbated by systemic barriers like discrimination. In particular, the meeting will focus on how the myth of a scarcity in housing due to immigrants perpetuates fear and division and ignores the fact that housing shortages often result from broader economic and social policies. By faulting migrants for these problems, elected officials divert attention from the need for comprehensive housing policies and equitable solutions that benefit everyone. Dispelling this myth is crucial for creating a more inclusive and just housing landscape, where everyone, regardless of their immigration status, has access to safe and affordable housing.

During the webinar, NLIHC staff will be joined by two guest speakers: Sarah Armour-Jones and Kate Walz. Ms. Armour-Jones is deputy director of the Housing Narrative Lab, where she focuses on strategic partnerships, communications, and organizational growth. Prior to joining the Lab, Sarah served as director of communications and media strategy at the Melville Charitable Trust, in which role she developed a new grantmaking strategy, elevated the Trust’s communications, and helped launch the Housing Narrative Lab. In all her roles, from philanthropic consultant to editorial assistant at the British Film Institute, Sarah has focused on the power of stories to create a more just world for everyone.

Kate Walz is associate director of litigation at National Housing Law Project (NHLP). She is a national expert on federally assisted housing preservation, fair housing, crime-free and nuisance property ordinances, the Violence Against Women Act, and the intersection of the criminal legal system and housing access. Prior to joining NHLP, Kate worked at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law for almost 20 years, leading the Center’s advocacy and litigation efforts, including its housing advocacy. Kate has significant housing policy experience, including working on legislation related to eviction reform, housing protections for immigrants, survivors of violence and persons with criminal records, public housing preservation, the preemption of crime-free and nuisance property ordinances, affordable housing preservation, and the 2013 and 2020 re-authorizations of the Violence Against Women Act.

“Tenant Talk Live” meetings are held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm ET. If you are unable to attend Monday’s meeting you can view upcoming or past Tenant Talk Live recordings on our working group webpage. To stay up to date on “Tenant Talk Live” events and connect with other attendees, join the Tenant Talk Facebook group.

Meetings like “Tenant Talk Live” also depend on the support of our members. Become an NLIHC member here!