Dear ,
As 2020 draws to a close, I recognize the many challenges this year has presented. However, I also believe many new paths are opening ahead. Our recent national election results include the advancement of a new housing agenda under a new administration, with
several explicit housing policy goals that align with our focus to expand the scale of housing with "Lasting Affordability" as our path to racial equity. The Biden/Harris "Build
Back Better by Advancing Racial Equity” agenda can advance our Grounded Solutions Network key strategic objectives by:
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Spurring “the construction of 1,500,000 homes and public housing units to address the affordable housing crisis, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the racial wealth gap.”
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Eliminating “local and state housing regulations that perpetuate discrimination. Exclusionary zoning has for decades been strategically used to keep Black and Brown people and low-income families out of certain communities. Among other steps, Biden will
enact legislation requiring any state receiving federal dollars through the Community Development Block Grants or Surface Transportation Block Grants to develop a strategy for inclusionary zoning, as proposed in the HOME Act of 2019 by Majority Whip Jim Clyburn
and Senator Cory Booker.”
Coupled with the recent encouraging news of successful Covid-19 vaccine trials, this news provides us all with much needed confirmation that 2021 will be better.
The future for many we serve remains at risk.
Nearly 10,000,000 households are behind on their rent or mortgage due to the pandemic'-related economic and health impacts, and many more are severely cost-burdened – paying more than 50% of their total household income on housing. Communities of Color have
been particularly hard hit and will require significant focused attention and support to not only recover, but to overcome the various housing-related manifestations of systemic racism. That is why Grounded Solutions Network recently announced our commitment
to Lasting Affordability in Housing Now, a vision to rapidly expand the scale of housing with lasting affordability by spurring the creation of 1,000,000 new homes over the next decade, as our path to racial equity.
Support our collective work to make a difference.
Today, I am excited to share that Grounded Solutions has established the
Lasting Affordability in Housing Now Fund to advance that vision and invite everyone to contribute to this important work by
making
a year-end donation today. Your tax-deductible* gift will provide necessary funds that will allow us to pursue this vital work that includes:
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Innovative, regionally based strategies to increase the number of shared equity homes;
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Policy alignment at all levels of government that require, encourage, and support lasting affordability;
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Tools and resources to build a pipeline of skilled practitioners; and
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Direct technical assistance to elevate local partners’ performance.
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