Opportunity Starts at Home Panel at NLIHC’s Policy Forum Highlights Partnerships Between Faith and Housing Groups

The Opportunity Starts at Home campaign’s breakout session, “Engaging Faith Partners in the Fight for Housing Justice” highlighted critical partnerships between faith-based and housing organizations. Panelists discussed key strategies for building strong partnerships with faith communities, shared how faith-based groups are reshaping the narrative around housing justice, and offered innovative approaches to mobilize faith-driven advocacy in the broader movement for housing equity. Moderated by National Campaign Director Chantelle Wilkinson, the panelists included: 

• George Moses, NLIHC Leadership Council
• Curtis Johnson, Vice President of Housing Strategy at Catholic Charities USA 
• Shirley Bondon, Executive Director of the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee (ACCT)
• Mona Kafeel, Chief Executive Officer of Texas Muslim Women's Foundation (TMWF)  

George Moses provided opening remarks and emphasized the necessity of faith leaders’ involvement in the issues impacting their communities. Shirley Bondon, Curtis Johnson, and Mona Kafeel each shared how and why their organizations are involved in affordable housing advocacy. ACCT members work together to address systemic issues related to poverty that affect Black communities, and its members recognize the impact of housing insecurity on education and health outcomes. Catholic Charities emphasized the need to build more affordable housing, and its agencies focus on expanding supply and preserving existing units. TMWF operates emergency shelters and affordable housing while also partnering with faith-based communities to support people impacted by domestic violence and housing insecurity.  

All three panelists stressed the importance of broadening networks to address the housing crisis holistically, educating new partners and assisting with coalition building while leaning on partners to identify the right language for different audiences. Mona Kafeel advised attendees to “Be patient. Find people who do not agree with you and sit with them. You may or may not change their mind, but you will always leave them with more information.” She went on to share examples of faith groups that initially did not want to work with TMWF on the issues of domestic violence and housing instability but were later willing to discuss domestic violence in their communities when it was reframed as conversations promoting peaceful family relationships. The panelists concluded the session by sharing ways that faith groups can support immigrant communities in today’s political climate, including providing new funding opportunities for refugee services, offering “know your rights” legal trainings to community members, and remaining consistent in advocacy efforts and messaging.  

Catholic Charities USA is an OSAH Steering Committee member, and ACCT is an OSAH State Partner.