“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”
– Dolores Huerta

Dear Friends, Partners, and Allies,

We are so excited about Housing California and RUN’s Lobby Days which will start today and run through this Thursday. In the days leading up to the event, I spent time reflecting on the idea of building power. During the past several weeks, we have trained over 120 resident leaders, homelessness service providers, affordable housing developers and other allies representing over 118 zip codes across California to effectively advocate for key bills and share their personal stories with legislators. Together we are ready to promote solutions that will create affordable homes for Californians struggling the most. We are galvanized in our conviction that home is essential to the health of our loved ones, families, friends, and neighbors. Our fight for housing justice is always about the people.

Recognizing the impact of California’s housing crisis on Black and brown people in particular, we are eager to create the system change and structural reform needed for everyone to thrive in our state. We have seen how communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and we know that bold policy change can not only bring much-needed immediate relief but also lay the foundation for economic and racial justice for future generations. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Roadmap HOME 2030 — a comprehensive plan to end homelessness and create stable, affordable homes for all Californians in thriving communities. Please join Housing California and our partners across the state for the official launch of the Roadmap Home 2030 on March 25th. The decisions we make today will determine California’s future for generations to come.

Cesar Chavez, whose day of remembrance is March 31st, once said, ”If you want to remember me, organize!” Let us celebrate his legacy by leveraging our power to gather and speak in support of those struggling the most. And amid Women’s History Month, we recall the courage of so many women ‒ women like Dolores Huerta and our own RUN leaders ‒ who are taking a moment as activists to manifest change in the world.  We are deeply grateful to all who join the movement and help to create a brighter future with homes, health, and prosperity for all.

In solidarity, strength, and gratitude,

Lisa Hershey
Executive Director

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Support the Housing Justice Movement

Activism is taking action to make our world a better place for all of our loved ones, neighbors, and friends. Please help Housing California create a California with homes, health, and prosperity for all in thriving communities by making a donation or joining as a member. Be our partner in the work. 

Save the Date for Housing California’s Virtual Un-Conference: June 22 - 24

It’s the concerted efforts of brilliant minds, open hearts, and the unyielding commitment of our co-conspirators that will open the door to new opportunities and future successes in our housing justice movement, and your participation is the key!Mark your calendar! Do you have a great idea for a speaker or a topic? Take our survey and share your thoughts.

Stay tuned – we’ll send you more details over the coming weeks.

We’re Hiring: Join the Housing California Team!

Join the Housing CA team and apply your skills, talents, and passion towards advancing racial justice and building a California with homes, health, and prosperity for all. We are currently recruiting candidates with a proven ability to advance transformative statewide policy strategically and collaboratively to fill two open positions: Legislative Advocate for Homelessness and Legislative Advocate for Land Use and Finance. Apply today, or help spread the word.

Roadmap HOME 2030 officially Launches the Campaign

On March 25 at 12:00 PM, Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and partners across the state will release the Roadmap Home 2030 and kick off the campaign. Sign up for the launch event.

The Roadmap Home is a comprehensive framework of equity-centered, evidence-based policy solutions that, over the next ten years, will create 1.2 million affordable homes, protect 1 million renter households from losing their homes, end homelessness for more than 150,000 Californians who are unhoused every night, and close racial equity gaps in housing and homelessness.

KPIX (CBS in San Francisco) recently aired a piece on California’s Roadmap HOME 2030 and featured Residents United Network leaders Zella Knight and Willie Stevens, California Housing Partnership Executive Director Matt Schwartz, and our own Executive Director Lisa Hershey. Check out the segment!

Our First Virtual Lobby Days: March 16-18

At the Federal Level

Relief is on the way: COVID Stimulus Plan

We advocated for, Congress has passed, and President Biden has signed into law, the “American Rescue Plan Act” (ARPA), which includes $21.55 billion in emergency rent assistance, $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers, $750 million for tribal housing needs, $100 million for rural housing programs, and $5 billion for homelessness interventions and long-term support services. The ARPA bill also includes $9.96 billion for homeowner assistance and $100 million for housing counseling.

We are very excited about the passage of the ARPA, grateful to see the federal government taking meaningful action, and committed to partnering with our state and local partners to ensure equitable implementation of these resources to tackle homelessness and housing insecurity across the country.

Best Wishes to a long-time Housing California Partner