During the most recent national call on coronavirus, housing, and homelessness, Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) discussed the latest updates from Capitol Hill and emphasized the importance of sustained federal investments in affordable housing and homelessness services. Both representatives have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that critical housing and homelessness provisions are included in the next coronavirus relief package.
Siobhan Kelly from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) provided an update on steps the agency is taking to protect renters in properties backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages. Zach Neumann, founder of the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project and researcher at the Aspen Institute, shared research estimating that, without meaningful federal intervention, between 30 million and 40 million people will be at risk of eviction before the end of the year. NLIHC’s Sarah Saadian, Joey Lindstrom, and Lisa Marlow discussed updates from Capitol Hill, needed advocacy actions, and communications tools and tactics. Attendees also heard field updates from Pam Atwood of the North Carolina Housing Coalition, George Hinton of the Social Development Commission in Wisconsin, and Dan O’Meara from the Legal Aid Society of Hawai’i.
NLIHC hosts national calls on the coronavirus, housing, and homelessness every week. On today’s call, we will be joined by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Register for today’s call (Monday, August 17 at 2:30 pm ET) at: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan
Watch a recording of the August 10 call at: tinyurl.com/y3e9gu53
Access presentation slides at: tinyurl.com/yy7edf7n