The Sanders Institute Tackles The Housing Crisis

By Jane O’Meara Sanders & David Driscoll\The Sanders Institute

Photos: The Sanders Institute\Wikimedia Commons

As communities across the nation grapple with an escalating housing crisis, The Sanders Institute convened a Gathering of elected officials, union and non-profit leaders, housing advocates, educators, authors, activists and community organizers in Los Angeles, California to find solutions.

The harsh reality of unaffordability, unavailability, homelessness and housing insecurity transcends geography, affecting urban centers and rural landscapes alike, and it demands urgent attention.

At the Gathering, we delved into the intricacies of recently-passed and proposed legislation, considered the out-sized impact of real estate investors and explored various initiatives including social housing models, community land trusts, and non-traditional housing partnerships.

We examined the intersections of housing policy and climate, why climate resilience needs to be a core theme in housing development and why climate justice must be included in planning and zoning regulations.

We confronted the stark realities faced by our most vulnerable populations, from seniors to veterans to children aging out of the foster system. Cognizant of the connection between inadequate education and housing insecurity, we considered the impacts of race, ethnicity, culture and social class on the educational system and how that system might be re-imagined.

Beyond theoretical policy discussions, The Sanders Institute Gathering was well-grounded in data and research studies and informed by the real-world experiences of those on the front lines of service.

We are now at a critical juncture. The widespread reality of the housing crisis has begun to break through, with people of all ages and most backgrounds feeling it’s effects. Now is the time to act.

With your support, we will amplify the diverse voices that came together with a sense of urgency and determination to examine the root causes of the housing crisis, share innovative initiatives and propose actionable strategies. In the coming months, we will be able to publicize the content and reports of the Gathering panels – each focused on a different aspect of the housing crisis.

With your support, we will educate the public and the media, champion a shared policy agenda – one rooted in compassion and equity – and mobilize around that agenda to effect real and lasting change.

Your contribution, big or small, one-time or recurring, will truly make a difference. DONATE

Jane O’Meara Sanders & David Driscoll\The Sanders Institute