We don’t organize for abstract reasons, we organize for the pillars of our lives: the people we love, the places we call home, the jobs we work, and other basic conditions of our lives.

But over the last few decades, the cost of those homes has snowballed out of control, leaving many Americans struggling to even find a rental they can afford, let alone own a home.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, listening to, and otherwise paying attention to this week!

1. AOC and Tina Smith introduce Homes Act

Elections matter. If we cannot elect champions for working people, we will not see policies that support working people.

Minnesota's own Senator Tina Smith, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez just introduced the Homes Act: to fund social housing built by union workers and run by non-profit entities like tenants unions.

It's the common sense solution to the housing crisis we all know America is facing.

As our friends over at Inquilinxs Unidxs Por Justicia (United Renters for Justice) put it: “We’re excited to see Sen. Smith and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez making a commitment to social housing at the national level — and in the meantime, here in Minneapolis, our members are fighting for innovative pathways to establish social housing at the county and state level”

2. Investing in Public Housing in Minnesota

It’s not just federal politics that matters: Minnesota is investing $40M dollars into upgrades of existing public housing, making sure that the units get the updates and renovations they need to stay healthy and efficient.

3. Building more affordable housing to keep up with demand

In 2019, Minneapolis ended single-family exclusive zoning. In the 5 years since, “housing stock grew by 12% in the city, compared to 4% statewide”. And in those five years, “rents across the country surged by an estimated 22%; by contrast, rents in Minneapolis fell by 4% in the same five-year period”..

4. AOC and Tina Smith introduce Homes Act

Stacey Abrams sat down with founding director of the KC Tenants Union, Tara Raghuveer, to talk about the state of housing, and what renters are doing to stand up for themselves. You won’t want to miss this one!
 

And that's a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching and listening to.

Until next time,

Mattias Lehman (he/him)
Narrative and Communications Director