Affordable Housing Network Newsletter: April 2023

No images? Click here [link removed]

Dear John,

Fair Housing Month is a time to recognize the importance of equal access to housing for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristic. Prosperity Now and our Community are committed to promoting and supporting fair housing initiatives because we believe that everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

Unfortunately, the racial wealth homeownership gap remains a significant challenge in our country. According to the Prosperity Now Scorecard [[link removed]], the homeownership rate for Black households is only 44% compared to 72.6% for White households. This gap not only perpetuates economic inequality but also limits opportunities for wealth-building and intergenerational mobility.

To address this issue, Prosperity Now is proud to team up with leaders like you in our Affordable Housing Network and our broader community to support policies and programs that promote fair housing and provide resources and tools to help families achieve homeownership and build wealth, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Together, we can continue to work towards a society where everyone has equal access to safe, affordable, and quality housing.

Sincerely,

Dara Duratinsky

Director of Network Building

Prosperity Now

Apply to be a Prosperity Now Community Champion Today! [[link removed]] [[link removed]]

We are excited to announce that the application to become a Prosperity Now Community Champion [[link removed]] is now open! Community Champions are committed to working together to advance systemic policy change, advancing racial and ethnic economic justice and have an active leadership and convening role in their state, local or native community. They also have the opportunity to network with peer organizations across the country; develop their leadership, coalition and organizational capacity; elevate their organizational profile; receive local, state and federal advocacy support from national experts and more. We encourage all interested organizations to learn more about the role and apply here [[link removed]]. The deadline to apply is May 26, 2023. If you have any questions along the way, please reach out to LaToya Lowery [mailto:[email protected]]. Let’s work together to build an economy that is just, fair and free from structural racism!

Protecting Stable Homeownership and Rental Housing in Michigan

"You need a stable home. You cannot be in fear that you will lose your home. This is crucial.”

To commemorate Fair Housing Month in April, Prosperity Now had the privilege of connecting with Laltsha Cunningham of Gesher Human Services [[link removed]]. Laltsha, a member of the Affordable Housing Network Steering Committee, is a part of Gesher’s exceptional work in Michigan to create financial security and protect the stable homeownership and rental housing of underserved community members. Gesher serves the community through a variety of housing programs [[link removed]] and has been able to expand their impact through partnerships with other nonprofits and community banks. Laltsha and the rest of the team are hopeful they will continue to have an immense impact on those they serve.

READ THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE [[link removed]] Resources and Publications

This Fair Housing Month (and All Year Round!) We Work for Housing Justice [[link removed]] | Prosperity Now

Prosperity Now was thrilled to see a rededication to promoting equitable housing opportunities through the reintroduction of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule and the team authored a comment letter in support of the proposed rule.

How racial bias in appraisals affects the devaluation of homes in majority-Black neighborhoods [[link removed]] | Brookings

Homes in Black neighborhoods are undervalued at nearly 25% compared to what they would be in non-Black neighborhoods, a product of systemic racial bias.

The Latino Economic Development Center: Securing Stable Housing through Community Empowerment and Advocacy [[link removed]] | Prosperity Now

In the Washington D.C. region and Puerto Rico, the Latino Economic Development Center is leading the stable housing advocacy charge for Latino and other underserved communities.

What Can Court Data Actually Tell Us About Evictions? [[link removed]] | New America

As a product of the ongoing American housing crisis, millions of families face eviction each year; this report from New America uses court data to investigate how it can be used to prevent evictions in the future.

President’s Housing Proposals Are Both Practical and Progressive [[link removed]] | Center on Budget on Budget and Policy Priorities

President Biden's fiscal year 2024 budget request [[link removed]] shows that the administration is making a commitment to address the housing crisis.

Fair Housing Month Resources [[link removed]] | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

To commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), HUD put together this page with resources on FHA technical assistance, outreach, and more.

In the News

A Black family says they 'whitewashed' their home to get a higher appraisal. They're not the only ones [[link removed]] | Kake ABC

A Black couple in Ohio removed all evidence from their home that a Black family lived there to receive a higher appraisal, unfortunately they are not alone due to the existing racial appraisal gap [[link removed]].

Investors are monopolizing affordable housing: Here’s how we can stop them [[link removed]] | The Hill

This opinion piece from the president of the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) [[link removed]] proposes strategies to combat the problem of institutional investors who buy affordable housing and then lease them at high rents that disproportionately hurt Black and Brown renters.

How Hispanic homeownership became a 'driving force' shaping the housing market's future [[link removed]] | USA Today

Latino individuals and families will continue to represent the largest number of new homebuyers in the United States moving forward, helping shape the housing market.

D.C. overpays landlords millions to house the city’s poorest [[link removed]] | Washington Post

Findings show that the Washington D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) severely overpays landlords who rent to housing choice voucher participants, a practice not in line with HUD rules and another example of the ongoing issues with DCHA. [[link removed]]

Events and Opportunities

Virtual Event: DC HOMEBUYING ORIENTATION [[link removed]] | Latino Economic Development Center | May 2, 2023

Webinar: Housing First Series [[link removed]] | Urban Institute | May 15, 2023

National Fair Housing Alliance 2023 National Conference [[link removed]] | Washington D.C. | July 16-18, 2023

1200 G Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC xxxxxx

HOME [[link removed]] | BLOG [[link removed]] | ABOUT [[link removed]] | DONATE [[link removed]]

Copyright © 2023, Prosperity Now, All rights reserved.

Unsubscribe [link removed]