“If we want change, we have to be quite intentional. We’ve got to tell the damn truth that the system we currently have is oppressive.” 

That’s what I told the Stanford Social Innovation Review about how we begin to show our communities that it’s possible to build housing justice for all of us –– by telling the truth. But after we lay out all that is wrong, we have to have a vision for what comes next. 

Make no mistake about it: creating housing justice in this country is an absolute requirement of a functioning democracy, so it’s no coincidence that both our housing and political system are currently hanging in the balance. But we can start building something different by finding common ground, without sacrificing the truth of our history and who we are.  

At a time when we are told at every turn that our society is deeply divided, our research released today shows we have one big thing in common: we all want a safe, stable place for our communities to live, and most of us want the government to take meaningful action to guarantee homes for everyone. This new data shows that these issues unite voters across demographics and political affiliation –– and, that most voting groups support diverting some public funds from policing and prisons to solve the affordable housing crisis. 

This confirms what we know about equity –– addressing a systemic problem for those who are most affected by it benefits us all. Black, brown, and low-income people have been purposefully locked out of affordable housing for decades, and amid the pandemic and economic instability of the last few years, now a majority of Americans worry about being able to afford their homes. This should serve as a reminder that our well-being is dependent on each other. 

We’ve already seen how displacement is galvanizing communities into action. From Minnesota to Maine, tenant advocates in cities across the country have organized local ballot initiatives to increase renter protections. On Tuesday, voters will decide on housing-related ballot initiatives in at least five major cities. We’ll be following closely and keeping you updated.

In solidarity,

Michael McAfee
President and CEO, Policylink