Race and Reconciliation: Last week, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched a bold new “Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation” initiative to address racial healing and structural discrimination in the U.S. Modeled in part on past Truth and Reconciliation Commission efforts in other countries, the initiative is designed to “engage communities in racial healing and change efforts that address current inequities linked to the belief in a racial hierarchy.” PRRAC is proud to join other national civil rights groups in supporting the new initiative.
Enterprise joins call for a geographically balanced federal housing policy: Enterprise, the national community development non-profit, has just released a long term policy platform, “An Investment in Opportunity: A Bold New Vision for Housing Policy in the U.S.” – which embraces the “both/and” approach of the new HUD Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, and calls for substantial new investment in low income housing in high opportunity areas, Housing Choice Voucher reform, and new investment in housing mobility programs. This is an great step for Enterprise and the community development field, but as we have pointed out, our federal housing programs are not designed to provide low income families with meaningful housing options in less segregated communities – and continuing policy reform will be necessary to achieve this vision.
LIHTC advocacy in the states: Massachusetts Law Reform Institute submitted a powerful letter to the Massachusetts Department of Housing, urging the state to reform its unbalanced Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation patterns, and improve program and agency transparency. Recommended reading for housing advocates and state housing finance agencies.
