Today, millions face the daunting reality of skyrocketing costs and the constant threat of eviction and displacement. The increasing use of housing as a wealth and investment vehicle, the concentration of profit-driven corporate control of housing, and the political and financial retreat of the state are key drivers of our housing affordability crisis.

"Building Our Future: Grassroots Reflections on Social Housing," delves into the urgent need for social housing as a radical, transformative, and common-sense solution to our housing crisis. A growing movement of organizers is advocating for permanently and deeply affordable social housing that is publicly, collectively or non-profit owned and under democratic resident or community control. Through tenant unions, rent strikes, and policy campaigns, groups are demanding public, government intervention to overcome catastrophic market failures and ensure housing for everyone.

As the report makes clear, campaigns for social housing are underway across various regions: 

• In California, organizers claim legislative victories such as SB 555, which mandates a government study on social housing.
• In Seattle, the establishment of the Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) to build publicly owned, permanently affordable housing.
• In Kansas City, Missouri, organizers secured a $50 million bond for affordable housing and through mass tenant organizing are shifting towards campaigns for building municipal social housing. 

This report, crafted by organizers, policy analysts, and educators rooted in housing, racial, and climate justice movements, is intended to serve as a rallying cry and blueprint for transformational housing futures

Read the Full Report. 

Today, millions face the daunting reality of skyrocketing costs and the constant threat of eviction and displacement. The increasing use of housing as a wealth and investment vehicle, the concentration of profit-driven corporate control of housing, and the political and financial retreat of the state are key drivers of our housing affordability crisis.

"Building Our Future: Grassroots Reflections on Social Housing," delves into the urgent need for social housing as a radical, transformative, and common-sense solution to our housing crisis. A growing movement of organizers is advocating for permanently and deeply affordable social housing that is publicly, collectively or non-profit owned and under democratic resident or community control. Through tenant unions, rent strikes, and policy campaigns, groups are demanding public, government intervention to overcome catastrophic market failures and ensure housing for everyone.

As the report makes clear, campaigns for social housing are underway across various regions: 

• In California, organizers claim legislative victories such as SB 555, which mandates a government study on social housing.
• In Seattle, the establishment of the Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) to build publicly owned, permanently affordable housing.
• In Kansas City, Missouri, organizers secured a $50 million bond for affordable housing and through mass tenant organizing are shifting towards campaigns for building municipal social housing. 

This report, crafted by organizers, policy analysts, and educators rooted in housing, racial, and climate justice movements, is intended to serve as a rallying cry and blueprint for transformational housing futures

Read the Executive Summary. 

As one of his first acts in office, President Biden established the Justice40 Initiative through Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.  Alongside several executive orders and initiatives focused on equitable governance, Justice40 aims to ensure that at least 40 percent of overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities. Developed in partnership with the Emerald Cities Collaborative, and in consultation with state and local agencies and policymakers, this guide aims to assist state and local-level administrators optimize federal investments to benefit underserved communities in alignment with the Justice40 Initiative.

This primer reviews what right to counsel laws are, how they advance racial and health justice, and ways public health practitioners can support right to counsel efforts.

A safe and stable home is the foundation for a healthy life, yet this cornerstone of good health remains out of reach for many. New local and state laws that guarantee a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction (“RTC” or “right to counsel”) offer a promising opportunity to address this challenge and related racial and health disparities.

This primer starts by reviewing what right to counsel laws are and how they can advance racial and health justice. In short, establishing a right to counsel can help more households remain stably housed — particularly low-income households and those disproportionately impacted by historical and ongoing discriminatory policies and practices.

It follows with steps public health practitioners can take to enhance the potential of right to counsel efforts to advance racial and health justice, including:

• Support policy development
• Make the public health case for right to counsel as a health issue
• Support community leadership
• Establish cross-sector partnerships to address challenges related to housing stability, housing quality, and health
• Strengthen community outreach and referral networks
• Train stakeholders on the connections between housing, health, and equity

This resource was developed by ChangeLab Solutions, Human Impact Partners, the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, PolicyLink, and Results for America,  in partnership with the American Public Health Association and the de Beaumont Foundation as part of the Healing Through Policy initiative.