The Sanders Institute Tackles The Housing Crisis

As communities across the nation grapple with an escalating housing crisis, The Sanders Institute convened a Gathering of elected officials, union and non-profit leaders, housing advocates, educators, authors, activists and community organizers in Los Angeles, California to find solutions.The harsh reality of unaffordability, unavailability, homelessness and housing insecurity transcends geography, affecting urban centers and rural landscapes alike, and it demands urgent attention.At the Gathering, we delved into the intricacies of recently-passed and proposed legislation, considered the out-sized impact of real estate investors and explored various initiatives including social housing models, community land trusts, and non-traditional housing partnerships.We examined the intersections of housing policy and climate, why climate resilience needs to be a core theme in housing development and why climate justice must be included in planning and zoning regulations.We confronted the stark realities faced by our most vulnerable populations, from seniors to veterans to children aging out of the foster system. Cognizant of the connection between inadequate education and housing insecurity, we considered the impacts of race, ethnicity, culture and social class on the educational system and how that system might be re-imagined.Beyond theoretical policy discussions, The Sanders Institute Gathering was well-grounded in data and research studies and informed by...