We have the opportunity to transform our nation. By centering those most harmed by inequitable systems, policies, and practices, we can build an America where everyone — especially the nearly 100 million people living in or near poverty — can thrive. Alongside all the grief and trauma we have collectively experienced as a result of the pandemic, we have also experienced proof that the demands of equity movement leaders have always been reasonable and achievable. The remote work options long demanded by disability advocates suddenly became possible through existing technology tools. Direct cash assistance long advocated by anti-poverty leaders became a leading pandemic policy. 

We cannot let this truth go unnoticed as we are pushed back toward a deeply problematic pre-pandemic “normal” that was not working for the majority of our nation. We must reflect on what this pandemic has forced us to reckon with as a nation and how we can repair our communities. Equity is the key to our nation’s transformation. 

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be sharing recommendations and insights to guide our collective work to repair our nation. We are thrilled to start by sharing two new resources:

• Our new analysis and dashboard of California’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, produced by the National Equity Atlas in partnership with Housing NOW! and Western Center on Law & Poverty, reveals that more than 366,000 renter households are still waiting for assistance just 10 days before the state’s remaining eviction protections expire and the statewide program ends. At the current rate of approvals, it would take until Thanksgiving for everyone to receive a decision on their applications. To keep people in their homes, California’s policymakers must take urgent action to extend these protections and the program.
   
• Our newest report, Coming Back Better, is a deep-dive into the potential for crisis-response task forces to lay the groundwork for an equitable recovery. Analyzing state and local task forces, we found that while several of them advanced promising strategies to improve conditions for workers and people of color, the majority failed to center impacted communities or racial equity in their efforts. The report highlights equity-centered strategies that can strengthen the efforts of future crisis-response task forces, including ensuring the direct representation of those most impacted by crises, providing task force members with adequate support, and promoting transparency and clear communication. 

After digging into these resources, be sure you’re following PolicyLink on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram so you can receive the reports, commentary, and analyses we’ll be sharing over the coming weeks. You can also find our Reckoning. Repair. Transformation. work housed on our website. 

We are grateful to be partnering with you as we repair our nation and pave the way for transformation.