Diane Yentel’s Post

Today Along with Key Partners Release a National Tenants Bill of Rights! The National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Housing Law Project, and Tenant Union Federation released a comprehensive National Tenants Bill of Rights to shift the balance of power between tenants and landlords, redress long-standing racial and social inequities, and advance housing justice. More than ever, bold action is needed to create clear, strong, and enforceable renter protections at the local, state, and national level. Rents are sky high, eviction filings are up, and homelessness has increased to its highest level on record. The power imbalance between renters and landlords continues to fuel racial and social inequities and put renters at greater risk of housing instability, eviction, harassment, and homelessness.   The National Tenants Bill of Rights builds on the success of tenant leaders and advocates nationwide who have won nearly 300 local and state renter protections in the past few years, as well as the historic and effective leadership of national tenant organizations, such as the National Alliance of HUD Tenants. It was written with direct input from tenant leaders and people with lived experience, including NLIHC’s Tenant Collective and Tenant Talk Live participants, and NLIHC’s ERASE and State and Local Tenant Protection working groups. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gmz6Rb2U

The National Low Income Housing Coalition's National Tenants Bill of Rights is a comprehensive policy agenda created by tenant leaders, people with lived experience, legal aid experts, and advocates. The National Housing Law Project, National Low Income Housing Coalition, and Tenant Union Federation created the National Tenants Bill of Rights to shift power to renters. When enacted, the National Tenants Bill of Rights will correct the balance of power between tenants and landlords that fuels racial inequities and puts the 114 million people who rent their homes at greater risk of housing instability, harassment, eviction, and homelessness. The National Tenants Bill of Rights provides a legislative framework to enshrine the following tenants' rights: A fair applicationWhen enacted, the National Tenants Bill of Rights will correct the balance of power between tenants and landlords that fuels racial inequities and puts the 114 million people who rent their homes at greater risk of housing instability, harassment, eviction, and homelessness. The National Tenants Bill of Rights provides a legislative framework to enshrine the following tenants' rights: ✔️ A fair application ✔️ A fair lease ✔️ Freedom from discrimination and harassment ✔️ Habitable homes ✔️ Reasonable rent and costs ✔️ Right to organize ✔️ Safeguards against eviction ✔️ A fair lease ✔️ Freedom from discrimination and harassment ✔️ Habitable homes ✔️ Reasonable rent and costs ✔️ Right to organize ✔️ Safeguards against eviction For more information, including how to endorse the National Tenants Bill of Rights, visit https://p2a.co/g19D6fg.

This is a thoughtful and well written article about the lack of affordable housing in Connecticut, especially in Fairfield County. This article is a call to action on everyone's part. As President of The Fairfield Community Foundation, Mendi Blue Paca is leading by imploring legislators to make the change. I would add that individuals also, we ought to require real change every chance we get from our elected officials. She states, "But rather than viewing this as a deficit, let’s instead think about what’s possible if we commit to completely closing our affordable housing gap." #affordablehousing #wecandothis

Commentary: Tackling the affordable housing crisis in Baltimore County 🏡 "As the affordable housing crisis continues to plague Baltimore County, it's time for action. We must come together to find solutions that provide safe and stable housing for all residents. Let's demand that our local government prioritizes this pressing issue and works towards creating more affordable housing options. #AffordableHousing #BaltimoreCounty #CommunityAction 💪🏽🏘️" This commentary sheds light on the urgent need for affordable housing in Baltimore County. Let's use our voices to bring attention to this important issue and push for change. Every resident deserves a place to call home. Let's work towards a more equitable future for all. #HousingCrisis #CommunitySupport 🏘️🌎 via @afronews

🙌 Finally..... Section 21 evictions banned to protect renters from key driver of homelessness and empower them to speak up against discriminatory treatment. 🙌 This landmark reform has taken so long and it is about time. It is a step in the right direction to helping the homelessness situation. The Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced to Parliament today, will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions for new and existing tenancies, extend Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector and end blanket bans for those on benefits or with children.  Last year alone, nearly 26,000 households faced homelessness as a result of a Section 21 eviction and had to go to their council for support. Greater security will give renters peace of mind, so they can build their lives in their communities. I have been the recipient of a Section 21 notice and it is not funny. It is scary, confusing and so stressful. No one should be in that situation when it comes to their home. Finally some good and promising news. The government hopes a ban on evicting tenants in England without a reason will be in place by next summer, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has said. CEO Sleepout UK #homelessness #section21 #newreform #homelessnessawareness

Solutions to our nation’s housing crisis that address housing affordability and supply must be paired with strong and enforceable tenant protections to help prevent housing instability and homelessness, redress long-standing racial and social inequities, and advance housing justice.  We encourage advocates, organizations, and policymakers to endorse the National Tenants Bill of Rights. 

Addressing the affordable housing crisis requires long-term commitment and creative partnerships. Cincinnati Action for Housing Now showcases how diverse stakeholders can come together to push for systemic change. Learn about their strategies, challenges, and insights: https://bit.ly/468cBrB #HousingTrustFund #InclusiveCommunities #HousingPolicy

Today, I want to share a candid reflection on a recent setback our team faced with a proposed affordable housing project in St. Johns County. Our endeavor aimed to address a critical need for affordable housing in this community, particularly for essential workers who struggle to find suitable accommodation in the area. Despite our thorough plans and commitment to mitigating concerns, the proposal was ultimately denied by the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners. The decision, based on apprehensions surrounding traffic and school capacity concerns in a rapidly growing region, underscores the complexities of affordable housing development and the varying perspectives we encounter along the way. One significant aspect of this process was the opposition rooted in NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) sentiments, a common challenge faced in community development initiatives. While understandable, these sentiments can unintentionally perpetuate housing unaffordability and inhibit necessary progress. The impact of NIMBYism extends beyond individual preferences, often shaping local policy and community dynamics as we have seen with this case. Engaging with stakeholders who voiced concerns revealed the intricate web of perspectives that influence decision-making. Addressing fears around traffic congestion and neighborhood change requires not only sound technical solutions but also empathetic dialogue that recognizes diverse community needs. While disappointment is natural, it's equally important to embrace these moments as opportunities for growth. We value the input from all stakeholders—those who championed the initiative and those who voiced dissent. Their insights deepen our understanding of community needs and the multifaceted considerations that shape impactful projects. Our commitment to affordable housing remains resolute. We echo the sentiments of many in St. Johns County who recognize the urgent need for solutions to housing unaffordability. Moving forward, we'll continue to engage with local leaders and stakeholders, seeking collaborative pathways to address this pressing issue. Lastly, I'm reminded of the vital role community leaders play in advocating for accessible housing. As Chase Ellison, from Liberty Landscape Supply eloquently put it, our essential workers—whether serving burgers or tending gardens—are integral to our community's fabric. Their voices underscore the urgency of our mission to ensure housing affordability for all. Link here for a news article covering our proposal: https://lnkd.in/gnP7_4uK #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #StJohnsCounty #HousingAdvocacy #NIMBY #LocalEngagement #Resilience #CommunityDialogue

It takes a dismal 26 months for #SanFrancisco to process applications for new housing -- an issue that has helped lead the city to become known for its scourge of #homelessness. As a result, the city has become the first in the #California, to find itself subject to the provisions of a statute -- SB423 -- which gives the state the power to step in and eliminate many of the hurdles that stand in the way of meeting state-mandated housing quotas. According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, “San Francisco being subject to SB423 means that most proposed housing projects will not require approval from the Planning Commission and therefore won’t be able to be appealed to the Board of Supervisors. Most projects won’t have to undergo extensive environmental reviews”. The bill was sponsored by State Senator Scott Wiener, who proclaimed in a July 1 press release that “A confusing and overgrown permitting process has been throttling housing construction in San Francisco for decades. Cutting that process short by years is a massive step forward to building the homes we need to tackle our housing crisis.” For more details click here: https://lnkd.in/ePw3u7Zh San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing Reid Koster Jeff Kositsky Council of Community Housing Organizations Mission Housing Housing Action Coalition San Francisco Community Land Trust Laura Foote YIMBY Action Brian Hanlon San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development San Francisco Mayor's Office of Civic Innovation

LA Forward Institute, along with taxpayers Sylvia Aroth and Professor Gary Williams, and unhoused individual Kathy Coates, filed a fair housing lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles for obstructing the Venice Dell Community affordable and permanent supportive housing project. The lawsuit demands that the city proceed with all remaining approvals for Venice Dell and cease obstructing and delaying supportive and affordable housing projects. It also alleges these actions discriminate against people of color and individuals with disabilities. The plaintiffs are represented by Public Counsel, Western Center on Law & Poverty, and Strumwasser & Woocher LLP. The affordable housing and homelessness crises are rooted in decades of entrenched exclusionary housing and development policies. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. The mayor and other city leaders claim they want more housing, to reduce red tape, and prevent bureaucracy from slowing down the construction of desperately needed affordable housing. If they’re being honest with their statements to the public, they’ll work with us to quickly resolve this case and move Venice Dell forward. Learn more at www.buildvenicedell.org