Protect and Expand Affordable Housing Programs!
Join Advocates throughout the Country by Hosting a Local Event or Activity for Our Homes, Our Voices National Housing Week of Action from May 30 to June 5
Planning efforts for Our Homes, Our Voices National Housing Week of Action are gearing up in communities from Seattle to San Juan as local advocates join together to call for more federal investments in affordable housing programs. Week of Action 2018 was a huge success with 120 events throughout the country, capturing the attention of members of Congress as they negotiated their budget bills. Let’s top 100 events again this year! If you are planning a local event or activity, let us know and we’ll list it on the Our Homes, Our Voices website.
Events and Activities
There are many types of Week of Action local events and activities including rallies, Congressional call-in days, voter registration drives, press conferences, teach-ins, meetings with elected officials, or site visits where members of Congress can tour affordable homes and meet with residents. Your activity can be small or large – every action makes a difference! The Our Homes, Our Voices webpage provides “how-to” instructions for planning and executing an array of different events and activities.
Consider Hosting a Film Screening
One event you might consider hosting is a film screening on the issues of homelessness or housing inequality. The film ideally would be followed by a discussion of how the issues explored resonate in your community and what solutions should be pursued. A film screening can be a low-hassle event because much of the content is already provided. For Week of Action 2019, Our Homes, Our Voices is partnering with two film makers of documentaries soon to be released. Each of these films would be excellent for local Week of Action events.
Owned: A Tale of Two Americas is a documentary by Giorgio Angelini that details the policy decisions that structured the housing and neighborhood inequality of postwar community development throughout America. The film explores the racist roots of American housing policy and details the choices that led to widespread commoditization of housing and the economic collapse of 2008.
Watch the trailer here: Owned
Owned will be released on June 4 and runs for 83 minutes. Advocates planning film screenings on a local scale can pre-purchase the film for their event at the low cost of $10. For large-scale screenings that might attract large crowds above 20 or so, the film’s distributor might need to be involved, so be in touch with Week of Action organizers at [email protected] to connect with the filmmakers.
The Invisible Class: The Story of Homelessness in America is a documentary film by Josh Hayes detailing the problems faced by people experiencing homelessness and the history behind the rise of modern homelessness. The film features personal stories and analysis from people with lived experience, shelter providers, advocates, and academics. Viewers learn about the devastating impacts of lost housing supports, stagnant wages, and increased criminalization.
Watch the trailer here: The Invisible Class
The Invisible Class runs 89 minutes, and it can be made available for screening events free of charge. Contact Week of Action organizers at [email protected] to be connected to the filmmakers.
Featured New Event: “The Time Is Now,” Memphis, Tennessee
Midsouth Peace and Justice Center will be participating once again in Week of Action along with their allies at H.O.P.E. (Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality). This year’s event will include a rally featuring people with lived experience in housing programs for people with disabilities speaking out against President Trump’s proposed cuts to affordable housing programs.
As local events get posted on www.ourhomes-ourvotes.org, we will feature new and exciting efforts throughout the country in our weekly updates. Planning an event is simple, and NLIHC organizers are available to help with ideas and resources for communities working to bring people together for Our Homes, Our Voices.
New Resources
Tools for a Week of Action events are being uploaded to the Resources page on an ongoing basis. New this week:
- A sample call-in script for groups hosting grassroots action events.
- A template letter to invite members of Congress to attend site visits or in-district meetings.
- An updated PowerPoint slide presentation that can modified for teach-in events.
Thank you for your leadership as we prepare for another exciting Our Homes, Our Voices Week of Action!