During the most recent national call on coronavirus, disasters, housing, and homelessness, we heard updates from the field, discussed increasing housing stability and equity using the Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response, learned about NLIHC’s non-partisan voter engagement campaign, and shared insights from NLIHC’s research team about tracking rent relief programs.
We received field updates from North Dakota, Florida, and Massachusetts. Shawnel Willer of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency discussed how the state is addressing COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness. Gladys Cook from the Florida Housing Coalition shared information about the federal and local responses to the damage from Hurricane Sally. Eric Shupin of the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association of Massachusetts discussed the affordable housing and eviction crisis in the state.
Sarah Hunter from the National Innovation Service shared information about the Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response’s recently released marginalized populations briefs, a series of population-specific briefs summarizing ideas and recommendations on reforming the homelessness system from ten historically-marginalized communities who have experienced homelessness.
Joey Lindstrom discussed NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes campaign, which works with housing providers and organizations to increase voter engagement among low-income renters and advocates. Andrew Aurand and Rebecca Yae from NLIHC’s research team provided insights on their tracking of state and local emergency rental assistance programs. NLIHC is tracking 414 programs across 41 states; only 3% of programs target extremely low-income residents and about 30% of all programs have closed after running out of funding. NLIHC’s Sarah Saadian discussed the state of negotiations on a COVID-19 relief bill and the need for emergency rental assistance resources.
NLIHC hosts national calls on Coronavirus, Disasters, Housing, and Homelessness every week. On today’s call, we will be joined by Max Weinstein of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to discuss the state’s efforts to enforce eviction moratoria and protected renters. Register for today’s call (Monday, October 26 at 2:30 pm ET) at: https://tinyurl.com/ru73qan
Watch a recording of the October 19 call at: tinyurl.com/yyraubts
Access presentation slides at: tinyurl.com/y69o92k2