Step Up ’s Post

Important book. This is a powerful argument for reparations.

Out of all the initiatives I have seen from HUD in my 25 years working in this industry, PAVE has led to increased education, public awareness and policy changes that have led to real changes. #AppraisalBias #HUDLeadership

If there is an issue that requires a cross-sector and interdisciplinary perspective, it is the intersection of housing and criminal legal reform. We were honored to have been selected to conduct a landscape assessment of the intersection of housing and the criminal legal system in the District of Columbia on behalf of Enterprise Community Partners. Arcstratta believes firmly in examining the intersection of systems, which often reveal the cost of siloed disciplines and program interventions.   . In collaboration with leaders in the reentry and housing space, the landscape assessment examined the latest research, needs, policies, best practices, resources, innovative programs and services, and collaborative efforts to close gaps in the housing of individuals with justice system contact.    . The intersectionality and disproportionality of homelessness among Black/African Americans in the city with justice system contact is clear, as well as the limited resources for the complex and urgent housing and other needs of individuals with justice system contact.   . The report maps existing systems, policies, and resources; provides a cross-case study analysis of four reentry providers in DC and Baltimore City; and recommendations to housing providers.   . We must be reminded that all human beings need housing and should not have to remain unhoused. In addressing this intersection, we acknowledge that it is not just a housing issue; it's a societal imperative. Check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eGypkn-y   . . . #HousingJustice #Homelessness #PermanentHousing  #SupportiveHousing 🤝🏡 

These are the practices of today that leaders of organizations must fix today. Leaders must ask themselves how are they contributing to this disparity that still exists for many. Do we pay based on neighborhood? Do we pay based on gender? Is there equity in education for all students to pursue what their dreams are and not what others feel their expectations should be? Internal organizational practices and policies of organizations must change in alignment with laws decreasing disparities.

🏡The incorporation of a whites-only requirement in the appraisal standard of the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) marked a significant turning point in the history of racial segregation in the United States✨ Levittown, the first-ever planned suburb in the United States, holds a significant historical truth. While it revolutionized suburban living after World War II, it also perpetuated racial segregation through its whites-only policy. 🚫🌍 In its early years, Levittown implemented clauses in property deeds that explicitly excluded individuals of non-white ethnic backgrounds from owning or renting homes within the community. Furthermore, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) reinforced this discriminatory system by including a whites-only requirement in its appraisal standards, making it nearly impossible for the Americans Descendants of Slaves to secure financing or acquire homes outside these restrictive boundaries. These actions contributed to the perpetuation of systemic racism deeply rooted in our society. 😔 Understanding the historical context is crucial for recognizing the long-lasting implications of such policies. By shedding light on the past, we can challenge and dismantle present-day inequalities, fostering a more inclusive future for all. Let's use this post as an opportunity to spread awareness and promote discussions that encourage progress towards racial justice and equal housing opportunities for everyone. Please feel free to share your insights or suggest additional hashtags to further engage with this topic. ⬇️🔤 #civicengagement #policychange #ADOS

An impact of eviction that stood out was the number of people who had to live in vehicles, including families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities. “We want to work toward a future in B.C. where nobody is forced to live in a vehicle, or face other forms of homelessness, due to eviction.” -Dr. Sarah Marsden, Director of Systems Change and Legal for FIRST UNITED, and BC Eviction Map project lead Check out our interactive #BCEvictionMap online along with the most recent report, BC’s Eviction Crisis: Evidence, Impacts and Solutions for Justice, which outlines law reform recommendations. https://lnkd.in/g6hFwwH3 #vanre #bcre #bcpoli #vanpoli #homelessness #systemschange #evictions #endhomelessness #lawreform #rentalhousingcrisis

California's Housing-First Model Under Scrutiny What do you think about these proposed changes? Should more funds go toward sober housing, or should the focus remain on low-barrier housing? Share your thoughts, and let’s get more opinions and discuss! Source: CalMatters Newsletter #HousingFirst #Homelessness #CaliforniaHousingCrisis #AddictionRecovery #AffordableHousing

The number of fair housing complaints filed nationwide peaked to record numbers for the third year in a row in 2023. This according to the latest Fair Housing Trends Report released annually by the National Fair Housing Alliance. There were 34,150 fair housing complaints in 2023, compared to 33,006 complaints in 2022. Complaints of harassment increased by 66 percent - the highest since NFHA began reporting harassment-specific data in 2006. Harassment based on color increased by 470.59 percent. The numbers continue an upward trend that highlights the need for adequate funding for local agencies working to address housing discrimination. Just this week, House lawmakers put forth a spending bill that funds the Department of Housing and Urban Development at far less than what local organizations need to adequately serve victims of housing discrimination. Read the full Fair Housing Trends report: https://bit.ly/3WhCFxl #fairhousing #fairhousingact #housingdiscrimination #discrimination #appraisalbias #fairlending

🏡✨ Exciting news for fair housing in Florida! 🌴🌊 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated $24,195,749.33 from its FY 2023 budget to support 57 fair housing organizations across the nation through the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). Two of these organizations are right here in Florida – one in Central Florida and one in the Palm Beaches. This financial support will continue ongoing fair housing enforcement efforts on a national scale. HUD has also extended support to the Disability Law Center and JC Vision and Associates under the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) and Fair Housing Organization Initiative/Continued Development Component (FHOI/CDC) programs respectively. 👉 It's disheartening that bias continues to impact families when it comes to renting and buying homes. But initiatives like FHIP empower organizations to combat housing discrimination and build fair and inclusive communities. Together, we can make a difference! 👥💪 The awardees will carry out fair housing enforcement through investigations, testing methodologies, and filing complaints. They will also focus on educating the public, housing providers, and local government bodies about the rights and obligations outlined in the Fair Housing Act. These programs and services are essential to HUD's mission and play a vital role in enforcing fair housing laws. Let's celebrate this commitment to opposing discriminatory practices and ensuring that everyone has access to fair housing opportunities! 🎉🏘️ #FairHousing #EqualOpportunity #HousingDiscrimination #InclusiveCommunities #HUDSupport #BuildingEquality #FloridaRealtors

🏠🚫 Did you know about the whites-only policy that prevailed in the first suburb in the United States? William J. Levitt, the renowned developer behind the iconic Levittown homes, was responsible for the creation of the first suburb in the United States. Levittown, located on Long Island, New York, was built to provide post-war housing for the growing American middle class. However, this community became synonymous with racial exclusion due to its strict whites-only policy. The first five Levittown suburbs were Levittown, New York (1947), Levittown, Pennsylvania (1952), Willingboro Township, New Jersey (1958), Levittown, Puerto Rico (1963), and Levittown, Puerto Rico (1965). Each of these Levittowns implemented the whites-only policy. Levittown was developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s when discriminatory housing practices were still prevalent in society. Levitt and his team employed a series of tactics to enforce racial segregation within their community. They relied on racially restrictive covenants, which were legal agreements that prevented homeowners from selling their properties to African Americans. Understanding this history is crucial to recognizing the systemic barriers that have shaped our society and communities. Racially restrictive housing policies like those in Levittown have had long-lasting effects on segregation, wealth inequality, and educational opportunities. It is essential that we continue to address the policy that made these suburbs possible. My mission is to educate the masses on these policies to get public support for creating new policies Let's keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts and insights on this important part of American history. #civicengagement #policychange