WEBVTT 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:07.000 NLIHC – Our Homes, Our Votes 2024 Webinar Series – 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:11.000 A Look Ahead: Next Steps for Nonpartisan Civic Engagement and 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:12.000 Housing Justice 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:14.000 – November 18, 2024 COURTNEY COOPERMAN: 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:19.000 Hi, 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:22.000 everybody, welcome. Feel free to introduce yourself with 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:26.000 your name and where your calling in from in the chat. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:39.000 We will get started in about two minutes. 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:44.000 Welcome, everyone. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.000 Take a minute for everybody to just introduce themselves with their name, 00:00:48.000 --> 00:01:00.000 where they are calling in from. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:12.000 Feel free to introduce yourselves in the chat. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:18.000 I see Angie from Connecticut, 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:23.000 Sharon from Texas, Nancy from Virginia, Natasha from North Carolina, 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:34.000 Lorenzo from Texas, Carlos from Illinois, welcome, everyone. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.000 I think the flow in from the waiting room is slowing down. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:41.000 I am going to go ahead and 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:44.000 dive right into things. Thank you all so much for being 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:47.000 here today. Feel free to continue introducing 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:53.000 yourselves in the chat as we are getting started. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:58.000 For those of you who are here for the first time, my name is Courtney 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:03.000 Cooperman, I use she/her pronouns, and the project manager of NLIHC Our Homes, 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:07.000 Our Votes campaign. I hope everybody has had a chance to 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:12.000 take a deep breath and find some time for yourselves postelection. We really 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:17.000 appreciate you taking the time to be here and to join the conversation about 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:21.000 what comes next for the Our Homes, Our Votes campaign and what your 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:26.000 involvement post election can look like in this ongoing work of nonpartisan 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:29.000 civic engagement. This is our final webinar in the Our 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:34.000 Homes, Our Votes 2024 webinar series, but it is only just the beginning of 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:39.000 our ongoing work to increase voter turnout among low income renters to 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:43.000 elevate housing as an election issue, and to hold candidates accountable to 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.000 prioritizing housing justice. If you are tuning into the webinar 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:52.000 series for the first time today, your joining the 16th in a 16 part year-long 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:57.000 series, so I inch -- encourage you to check out the webinar archive and I 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:01.000 will drop a link in the chat. Next slide, please. Today's topic is A 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:05.000 Look Ahead: Next Steps for Nonpartisan Civic Engagement and Housing Justice. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:10.000 To start us off today, I am going to share some of the big wins for housing 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:14.000 on the ballot in this election cycle, with a preview of NLIHC upcoming ballot 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:16.000 measures report. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.000 We also have Brooke Schipporeit, director of field organizing of NLIHC 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:23.000 to talk about ways to stay involved at NLIHC and participate in federal 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:25.000 advocacy, 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:29.000 which will be especially critical in the coming months as we prepare for a 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:32.000 challenging new Congress and administration. All of you on the 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.000 webinar who have been doing nonpartisan voter engagement are in an especially 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:40.000 strong position to leverage the power of low-income renters, as a voting 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:41.000 constituency, 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:44.000 and establish relationships with newly elected officials so we can hold them 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:47.000 accountable to their campaign promises. This is really NLIHC 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:50.000 's 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:53.000 bread-and-butter and I'm excited to have a Brooke Schipporeit on to talk 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:57.000 about all of the ways you can get involved. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:02.000 At the same time, as we leverage the power to push for housing justice we 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:12.000 also need to advocate for long-term systemic change, 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:15.000 to increase voter access among low-income renters, and members of 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:18.000 historically disenfranchised communities. And to talk about that 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:22.000 topic we have a very special guest today, Representative Chuy García of 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:27.000 Illinois, the lead sponsor of a bill called the Our Homes, Our Votes Act. 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:32.000 The bill would make voter registration more accessible to residents of public 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:36.000 and subsidize housing by adding HUD housing to the National voter 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:40.000 registration act, commonly known as the voter law. Representative García is 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:45.000 reintroducing the bill very soon, so we are excited to have him on today to 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:50.000 provide a deeper dive and encourage you all to take action in support of it. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:55.000 Before we get started with this presentation, I have a few housekeeping 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.000 items. First as always, the webinar is being 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.000 recorded. Next slide, please. we will distribute 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:05.000 the recording and resource from the webinar in this week's edition of the 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:08.000 Friday email newsletter, the Connection. We will have the recording 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:11.000 posted on the NLIHC's YouTube channel. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:15.000 We have closed captioning enabled, thank you to the captioner for being 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:17.000 here today. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.000 Next, ask questions doing the Q&A future threat the webinar. With so many 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.000 people attending it can be hard 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:25.000 to notice next -- 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.000 in the c 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:30.000 hat. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:34.000 We ask everybody engaged thoughtfully and respectfully in the chat and live 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:39.000 by the platinum rule: treat others the way they want to be treated, even 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:45.000 if it is different from the way you want to be treated. A reminder that Our 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.000 Homes, Our Votes is 100% nonpartisan, meaning we do not endorse or favor 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:54.000 specific candidates or political parties. Our goal is to build a voting 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:58.000 power of low income renters, so we can hold all elected officials accountable 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:02.000 to prioritize housing justice. Switching gears for a minute, we are 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:08.000 going to get right into it on ballot measures. We can go to the next slide. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:11.000 You will have me, speaking about ballot measures today. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:17.000 In terms of what does NLIHC do with ballot measures? We focus on federal 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:21.000 policy and do not endorse ballot measures at the state and local level, 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:22.000 we do track them 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:27.000 and publish a biannual summary report of housing ballot measures to increase 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:31.000 awareness of ballot measures as a mechanism to pursue housing solutions, 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:35.000 and really build the movement among organizers that are pursuing housing 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:36.000 solutions on the ballot. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:40.000 In this election cycle, we tracked more than 100 housing and homelessness 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:41.000 ballot measures, 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:45.000 and some major wins for housing affordability. We have a summary of 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:48.000 those wins in last week's edition of Memo, 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:55.000 and will drop the link in the chat so you can take a closer look at them. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:00.000 We are going to have a comprehensive report that will be published in 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:05.000 December and this will focus on the winds and the losses, dive a little bit 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:10.000 deeper into the policy details, how the measures made on the ballot, what 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:15.000 margins someone lost by and we will talk about case studies of successful 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:19.000 ballot measure organizing. I encourage you to stay tuned for the 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:23.000 report, and the information I will provide today is just a quick snapshot 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:29.000 of what will be in the report. There's going to be a lot more measures 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:34.000 covered, a lot more detail, but I wanted to give you a little sneak 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:39.000 preview of what is to come. You can see on the slide, there is the 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:44.000 cover art report from 2022, and we did a seller report in the 2022 election 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:50.000 cycle that you can find on the Our Homes, Our Votes website, which can be 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:54.000 interesting in terms of comparing how ballot measures fared this year as 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:58.000 opposed to two years ago, and with the landscapes look like in different 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:01.000 election cycles. Going into the election, we know 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:05.000 housing affordability is a priority for voters. We know that voters are feeling 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:10.000 the effects of rising rents all across the country. People really came into 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:14.000 the voting booth with that in mind. Next slide, please. The results of 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:17.000 ballot measures were reflecting the reality. Overall, not universally, but 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:21.000 when looking at the big picture nationwide, overall, voters are 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:24.000 supportive of measures that will enact housing solutions to increase the 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:30.000 supply of affordable homes, and curb rising rents. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:33.000 We saw that ballot measures transcendent partisan divides. In past 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:36.000 and communities from coast-to-coast, and everywhere in between. In large 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:41.000 cities and small mountain towns, in a blue, red and purple states alike. We 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:45.000 also saw a handful of communities defeat harmful ballot measures, that 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:49.000 could have weakened tenant protections are limited the development of hope --- 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:52.000 affordable homes. I'm going to give a highlight of some 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:57.000 winning measures across a few different categories and I'm not going to get 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:03.000 into all of the wins and losses, we would be here for hours if I try to do 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:07.000 that. I will give a few major highlights from 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:11.000 these different categories of types of policies that we saw on the ballot. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:15.000 Next slide, please. One category where we saw a lot of 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:19.000 major wins was in bond measures. Rhode Island pasta statewide $120 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:21.000 million bond for horrible 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:22.000 - 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:28.000 - 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:32.000 affordable housing. Shadow to the Housing Network in Rhode 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:36.000 Island, if anybody is there. Tempe, Arizona broke a $32 million bond 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:40.000 for affordable homes. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.000 Three municipalities in North Carolina, Asheville, Charlotte and 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:48.000 Chapel Hill, each had individual local ballot measures that will add up to 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.000 $135 million 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:52.000 in affordable housing bonds, Baltimore, Maryland approved a $20 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:55.000 million affordable housing bond, Bernalillo County, New Mexico 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:59.000 approved a $1.7 million housing fund and Monterey Peninsula and hands of 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:02.000 -- 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:06.000 San Jose, California passed school district bonds that cover a bride 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:10.000 different purposes related to local education including teacher and staff 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.000 housing. 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:16.000 They will set aside money to build housing for teachers and staff. Next 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:20.000 slide, please. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:25.000 We also saw some communities past some measures that do not raise taxes at 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:30.000 all, or do not issue new bonds, but they put existing resources into 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:34.000 affordable housing or enshrine existing resources to ensure they will continue 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:39.000 to be there in the future. New Orleans voted to dedicate 2% of the 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:43.000 city's budget every year to a local housing trust fund. Providing really 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:45.000 critical of sustainable sources of funding 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:49.000 for affordable housing development and preservation. San Francisco voted to 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:53.000 dedicate at least $8.25 million each year to rental subsidies, 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:57.000 specifically for extremely low income seniors, families and people with 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.000 disabilities. Orange County, Florida, passed a 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:01.000 charter amendment 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:04.000 to permanently enshrine the existence of the county's affordable housing 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:08.000 trust fund. Next slide, please. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:14.000 We also saw a number of different types of taxes and fees to increase 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.000 resources for affordable housing. 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:21.000 One of the biggest wins we saw on the ballot that many of our partners and 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:24.000 tenant organizers were involved with was measure A 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:28.000 and Los Angeles County. This is 1/2 cent sales tax that will 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:31.000 raise $1 billion annually for affordable housing and homelessness. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:37.000 Congrats to everybody who worked on that measure. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:41.000 Lawrence, Kansas, approved at half cent sales tax increase in the money 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:45.000 will be divided between affordable housing projects and emergency shelter 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:49.000 and homelessness services. The city of Avon, Colorado approved a 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:53.000 4% use tax on construction materials that will raise money for community 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:55.000 housing projects. Next slide, please. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:12:00.000 Looking at property taxes, we saw that income County, Michigan pasta for your 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:17.000 property tax increase, and those local dollars will replace 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:21.000 ARPA dollars for its housing program. Pick County, Colorado passed a property 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:26.000 tax increase that will raise a $0.59 annually for affordable housing, mental 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:30.000 health care and Senior services 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:39.000 . 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:42.000 Townsend, Swampscott, Sheffield and Winchester Massachusetts each adopted 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:46.000 the community preservation act which will add the property texture charge-- 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.000 tax surcharge. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:50.000 We saw cities amend and extend their transfer taxes, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:56.000 these are opposed when a property 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:58.000 is sold. Berkeley, California voted to 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:03.000 restructure its property transfer tax to create a new structure that will 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:08.000 raise an additional two to $4 million for homelessness services. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:12.000 Aspen, Colorado voted to extend its real estate transfer tax and continue 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:15.000 providing those resources to housing programs. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:18.000 Mountain View, California voted to raise property transfer taxes on 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:22.000 high-value real estate and put those revenues into affordable housing among 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:25.000 other purposes. Next slide, please. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:32.000 We also saw some cities use lodging taxes as a measure to increase revenues 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:35.000 for affordable housing. St. Louis, Missouri pasta 3% hotels 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:40.000 tax that would dedicate half its proceeds to the Fort of the housing 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:49.000 trust fund. 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:55.000 Montrose Colorado voted to raise his tax from 0.0% to 6% and put the money 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:59.000 into a portable housing and other project to mitigate the impact of 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:02.000 tourism including childcare. Mount crested Butte Colorado voted to 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:07.000 raise his lodging tax from 2.9% to 4.9%, and put the revenue into 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:11.000 community housing. This is just a snapshot and many more 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:15.000 measures will be covered in the report. Next slide, please. Tenant protections, 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:17.000 there's an interesting measure, 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:21.000 series of measures related to tenant protections. One of the biggest wins 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:26.000 that we will have featured in the report is from Hoboken, New Jersey 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:30.000 where an overwhelming 73% of voters rejected a landlord backed ballot 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:34.000 measure that would have dismantled the city's rent control protections. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:36.000 We really saw the city rally around behind 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.000 defeating fat, and keeping rent control intact. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:44.000 In Berkeley, California, voters approved a 10 impact measure 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:47.000 that will strength or rent stabilization and codify tenants right 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:50.000 to organize 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.000 . 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:55.000 This would have made 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:58.000 it harder to organize and voters rejected this. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:01.000 The town of old Orchard Beach mean 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:12.000 approach to rent stabilization 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:16.000 ordinance for mobile home renters. In Santa Ana, California, and trained 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.000 the rent stabilization in 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:19.000 just cause and its city shredder. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.000 \-- 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:25.000 charter. Next slide. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:29.000 Primarily measures in California that will give cities the greenlight 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:40.000 to develop additional affordable homes. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:44.000 We saw measures like this in oral Ville, Cyprus, San Mateo, Yorba Linda, 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:49.000 Eureka California, there was a measure that would have required any new 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:52.000 downtown affordable housing develop it to replace lost parking, 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:56.000 and is what has me developing two extensible 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.000 - 00:15:57.000 --> 00:16:05.000 - 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:08.000 that would have made affordable housing too expensive. And Snowmass, 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:13.000 Colorado authorizes 79 unit affordable housing unit at the ballot box. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:18.000 I have been talking about the wins, and I want to focus on positivity, but 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:24.000 it's remiss not to mention some of the harmful trends we have seen. We did see 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:29.000 two, one state and one locality pass a measure that really take this punitive 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:32.000 response to homelessness, rather than investing in proven solutions, pursuing 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:37.000 criminalization and punishment in a way that will make it harder for people to 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:41.000 get stable a house. Arizona approved a statewide measure, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:45.000 proposition 312, which will allow property owners to request property tax 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:47.000 refunds if they spend money 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:54.000 incurred due to their municipalities not enforcing 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:58.000 public nuisance laws, is what the text of the measure says. I include 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:02.000 anti-camping ordinances. That can either push cities to adopt 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:06.000 punitive approaches to peak - homelessness or risk losing the very 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.000 resources 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:15.000 . 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:19.000 We saw San Joaquin County California passed a measure that will mandate drug 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:23.000 screening for recipients of County General assistants who are suspected of 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:27.000 having substance use disorders. There is this troubling trend of 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:31.000 punitive measures and we will dive further into that into the report. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:35.000 I am seeing some comments and questions. I appreciate those and we 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:45.000 will circle back to questions and comments 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:48.000 at the end. Thank you all for listening, thank you 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:53.000 to those of you who organized in your communities for ballot measures. I know 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:58.000 there are many of you who have been involved with the measures I am talking 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:03.000 about, and others who are on the call, so thank you all for your organizing 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:08.000 and I'm looking forward to taking questions at the end. With that, I will 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:11.000 pass it over to Brooke. BROOKE SCHIPPOREIT: Thank you, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:16.000 Courtney, good afternoon, everybody. Or late morning, for those of you out 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:18.000 West. My name is Brooke Schipporeit, I'm the 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:23.000 director of field organizing here at NLIHC. Like Courtney was talking about, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:28.000 with all of the organizing that was done for these ballot measures, many of 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:32.000 those people who organized for those efforts do not end at election day. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:36.000 They continue organizing for solutions to affordable housing and homelessness. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:40.000 throughout the year, because we know these solutions are not one overnight. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:46.000 I'll be honest, we anticipate some steep challenges ahead 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:50.000 to advancing meaningful solutions but we also know that together our members 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:53.000 and partners across the country, alongside our champions in Congress 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:59.000 which will hear from a little bit later, we know that we can and will 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:03.000 defeat harmful policies put forward as always, and will look for potential 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:06.000 areas of agreement and opportunities to advance solutions. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:10.000 Like I said, because civic engagement does not end with the election, let's 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:15.000 talk about how you can stay engaged for the ongoing work ahead. Next slide, 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:18.000 please. NLIHC advocacy hub is a great place to 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:22.000 start. It is meant to start as a one-stop shop 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:26.000 for affordable housing and homelessness advocates, and we are continuing to 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:30.000 build this out. We have the bones up right now, and 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:35.000 we're going to continue building it out and making it more interactive, and 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:40.000 really a true resource for you. First on the page you will find our 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:44.000 latest actions that you can take for each policy priority issue area, such 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:49.000 as contacting your members of Congress to oppose cuts to the federal budget. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:53.000 Or add your organization to our various sign-on letters to Congress and 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:57.000 the administration. What you do is you simply click on a 00:19:57.000 --> 00:20:02.000 policy priority to learn more, see what actions are available for you to take, 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:07.000 and note that each action includes talking points that you can use when 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:12.000 weighing in with your members of Congress. We want to make this as easy 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:16.000 as possible for you. One thing to keep in mind is effective 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:21.000 advocacy is not just one action and you're done, it's keeping the drum 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:26.000 beating on the issue, to keep a top of mind for your elected officials. Even 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:32.000 if you have already taken action on each issue we have listed, you can keep 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:37.000 doing so and personalize your message each time. So you continue to drive the 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:40.000 message home of why these resources are needed. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:45.000 Next we have under the learning lab tab on the page you will find resources 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:47.000 for both new and seasoned advocates alike,,. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:51.000 For example, we have advocacy 101, webinar recordings, meeting request 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:55.000 template, and tips for effective meetings with elected officials, and 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:58.000 helpful data points for your state from NLIHC research. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:03.000 Like I said, we will continue to build the page out. We will include updated 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:08.000 advocacy toolkits, and other resources as they become available. If there is 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:14.000 something that you want to see on the page that you do not see that would be 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:19.000 helpful to you in your advocacy, please reach out to the NLIHC field team. Next 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:22.000 slide, please. This brings me to this. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:27.000 There's a get connected tab. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:32.000 This includes a variety of ways for you to get involved and stay up-to-date 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:35.000 with NLIHC 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:38.000 efforts. If you remember nothing else from me 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:42.000 today, please remember this, the NLIHC field team member for your state or 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:44.000 region in your region 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:51.000 is on your screen and the map and it might be hard to see who is there, 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:57.000 but we are also you can also find the link on the advocate C hub to the map. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:02.000 Like I said, your field member can serve as your point of contact and 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.000 research -- 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:07.000 resource for all of NLIHC federal advocacy work and connecting with 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:12.000 others in the network. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:17.000 Like I said, we want this to be as easy as possible, because we know you 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:23.000 all are very busy and do not have time to read through all of our reports 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:28.000 resources or keep track of the latest action needed on the federal level, so 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:33.000 simply reach out to your field team member and we can get you connected 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:38.000 with whatever it is you need or are looking for. Under the get connected 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:43.000 tab you will also find links to sign up for NLIHC emails, which includes our 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:47.000 calls to action on different policy development, links to recurring 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:51.000 webinars and working groups, and can learn more about the various campaigns 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:54.000 led by NLIHC. Next slide, please. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:59.000 Lastly, much of our work at NLIHC is made possible by our individual and 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:03.000 organizational members. I invite those of you who are not 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:06.000 current members to join headache. You can join or redo 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.000 your membership online 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:11.000 , 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:23.000 and membership dues are again, 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:27.000 open to individuals and organizations. The annual dues are suggested amounts 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:31.000 meaning you can join at any amount that works for you. NLIHC received -- 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:33.000 members receive benefits such as 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:38.000 advance tickets to the NLIHC annual housing policy forum in DC where 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:41.000 registration is open for, as well as exclusive access 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:46.000 to quarterly members only policy advisory committee meetings, and we also 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:50.000 prioritize our members for support from NLIHC staff and more. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:55.000 If you have any questions about becoming a member or want to check your 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:59.000 membership status, please reach out to your field team member. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:03.000 With that, I will turn it back to Courtney. COURTNEY COOPERMAN: 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:09.000 Thank you so much, Brooke. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:12.000 I know we have the Congressman joining us momentarily, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:16.000 you are here, welcome so much, 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:21.000 welcome, welcome, 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:26.000 representative Chuy García, we are so grateful to have you on the call today. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:31.000 I will hand it over to you to get started whenever you are ready. REP 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:33.000 CHUY GARCÍA: We are good? 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:36.000 Great, thank you very much and good afternoon 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.000 to all. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:46.000 I am Congressman 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:50.000 Jesús 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:53.000 Chuy García, representing Illinois fourth district, 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:59.000 discussing how we can 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:03.000 have more fair and just voting processes for all individuals 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:08.000 regardless of housing or economic status. Of course, first I want to think 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:10.000 that NLIHC for bringing together 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:12.000 , 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:15.000 bringing us all together at this important topic. 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:17.000 Thank you for your commitment to ensuring 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:18.000 accessible 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:20.000 , affordable housing 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:24.000 for all. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:29.000 As an immigrant from Mexico, who grew up 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:32.000 in Chicago's Southwest side, I know firsthand what it means 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:35.000 to build a life in a new country. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:39.000 My family settled in 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:43.000 a little village, a working-class community, that welcomed us but also 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:45.000 showed me the challenges that we face 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.000 , 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:48.000 especially when it comes to having 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:50.000 our voices heard. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:55.000 I still live 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:59.000 in the community. I have spent my life organizing there. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:05.000 Working to make sure that the people 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:09.000 of neighborhoods like little vision, Pilsen or Brighton Park, have the power 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:16.000 to advocate for themselves. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:22.000 I also know the right to vote, one of the most essential tools we have to 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:27.000 push for policy changes, and the voting rights act, and without it I would not 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:32.000 be a member of Congress today. These things remain out of reach for 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:37.000 just too many of our vulnerable neighbors, and that is why I am here 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:41.000 today to talk about reintroducing the Our Homes, Our Votes Act. 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:44.000 This bill will break down some of the barriers 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:48.000 by making it easier for residents in public and subsidize housing 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:51.000 to register to vote, as they signed their lease. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:55.000 Just like at the DMV, this is a step towards 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:59.000 ensuring that every voice in our communities 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:04.000 is heard, and of course, here is how Our Homes, Our Votes Act 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:06.000 will work. 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:12.000 First, this bill will expand access by allowing public housing 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:15.000 authorities and private landlords to register tenants on the spot 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:18.000 , without the need for extra paperwork, 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:20.000 . 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:24.000 For tenants in federally assisted housing, this will remove some of the 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:27.000 barriers that many tenants of subsidized housing face 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:29.000 when it comes to voting. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:34.000 The bill also requires an annual training 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:37.000 for public housing authorities staff, 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:39.000 and private landlords on voter registration. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:43.000 This training 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:46.000 will help support tenants through the registration process 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:52.000 and state election forms are 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:56.000 submitted correctly and on time, to make sure that 00:27:56.000 --> 00:28:01.000 language is not a barrier, the bill mandates 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:09.000 language assess assessment 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:15.000 are available in tenants 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:19.000 preferred language, in line with section 2 of three of the voting act 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:24.000 and for private landlords and HUD housing programs, this bill 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:27.000 includes new compliance incentives. They will be trained 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:30.000 to distribute voter registration forms, and help tenants 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:32.000 , if needed, as well 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.000 as ensure that 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:37.000 completed forms 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:40.000 reach local election offices on time. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:43.000 Sorry about that buzzing. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.000 These targeted steps will ensure 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:47.000 that tenants 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.000 in communities across the nation 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:51.000 can more easily 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:55.000 exercise their right to vote by expanding access 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:57.000 we are helping close the voter turning 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:59.000 -- 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:09.000 turnout And empowering individuals to advocate 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:12.000 to their families to vote. I encourage everybody to consider 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:18.000 endorsing the Our Homes, Our Votes Act. I just want to share with you that 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:21.000 we have signed up representative Nikema Williams 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:23.000 from Georgia, and Representative Gary may 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:35.000 Scanlon from 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:39.000 Pennsylvania for lead cosponsors. By lending your support, he would be 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:43.000 helping ensure that our most vulnerable communities have the opportunity to 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:45.000 exercise their right to vote. 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:51.000 If you would like to endorse the bill, please feel free to reach out to my 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:55.000 staff who will be sharing their contact information with everyone on this call 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:59.000 . Again, thank you to all of you for your 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:02.000 work and commitment to expanding access to the ballot, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:05.000 . Together, we can ensure that every 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.000 person, 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:09.000 no matter where they live, has the opportunity 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:12.000 to participate in our democracy. Thank you. 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:14.000 COURTNEY COOPERMAN: Think you so much 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:16.000 . 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:19.000 We are so grateful for your leadership 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:23.000 , 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:30.000 partnership, to make the democracy fair to make sure that 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:35.000 tenants voices are heard. Leaning on the bill in the past few 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:38.000 congressional sessions and rallying all of us to support today. 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:43.000 I am seeing a lot of appreciation in the chat, including some messages from 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:47.000 constituents in Chicago who are very grateful for all of your advocacy 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:52.000 with and on their behalf, and for the communities that you serve. 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:56.000 REP CHUY GARCÍA: Thank you so much. COURTNEY COOPERMAN: Thank you. 00:30:56.000 --> 00:31:00.000 We will share information for those who are interested in endorsing the 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:02.000 bill. We will share contact information and 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:09.000 some follow-up resources. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:11.000 I am seeing one question 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:13.000 . 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:17.000 Congressman Garcia, would you mind taking one 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:22.000 question from an audience member about the bill? REP CHUY GARCÍA: Sure. 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:24.000 COURTNEY COOPERMAN: 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:30.000 We have a question, it's a good idea to allow tenants to register to vote 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:35.000 once assigning their leases, but how can a tenant be assured the landlord is 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:39.000 submitting their voter registration? What kinds of measures are in place in 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:44.000 the bill to make sure that that is actually happening? REP CHUY GARCÍA: 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:47.000 The bill has mandatory language for landlords that participate 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:50.000 in these federal programs. There will be outreach 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:54.000 awareness and in - 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:59.000 education to ensure compliance. The idea here and a min is to make it 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.000 as easy as possible 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:01.000 , 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:04.000 as seamless 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:09.000 as possible, and eliminate burdensome paperwork. 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:14.000 This is all intended to make that happen, and the amendatory language 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.000 -- 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:18.000 mandatory language should be clear to everyone and thus helpful 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:27.000 to facilitate the frustration. 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:32.000 COURTNEY COOPERMAN: Absolutely, thank you so much. We also had a question 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:35.000 regarding on-site registration. With the land there also allow voter 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:42.000 registration on site in addition to when residents signed the leases? 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:48.000 REP CHUY GARCÍA: That is the intent of the legislation to make it as easy as 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:51.000 possible. That is within the spirit and the 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:54.000 letter of the bill. COURTNEY COOPERMAN: Wonderful, thank 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:57.000 you so much. That question comes from Sharon Hill in 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:58.000 Georgia, 00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:03.000 who was involved with the League of Women Voters, and I know has been a 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:08.000 leader in a lot of these efforts. REP CHUY GARCÍA: Thank you for that. 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:10.000 COURTNEY COOPERMAN: I am not seeing... Oh, 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:15.000 one more question from the audience. What can we do to support the bill 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:19.000 across the country? What are some concrete steps that 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:23.000 supporters can take upon the bill being reintroduced? REP CHUY GARCÍA: 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.000 I think informing constituencies 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:29.000 and the people that you work with, that this bill 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:34.000 is being introduced and advocated for 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:38.000 and sharing this information and 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:40.000 in newsletters, and local publications, 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:42.000 in social media. 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.000 All available 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:47.000 media 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:50.000 to inform and educate the public, and of course, 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:52.000 we hope that will 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.000 result in people 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:55.000 contacting 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:57.000 their members of Congress 00:33:57.000 --> 00:34:00.000 that this bill 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:03.000 makes voter registration easy 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:05.000 and accessible to everyone 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:09.000 , thus they should support it. 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:12.000 It is a nonpartisan piece of legislation. 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:21.000 COURTNEY COOPERMAN: Absolutely. 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:26.000 I know we had more than 100 cosponsors last time, so I think by getting 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:31.000 everybody to research other members of Congress we can build up the list 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:33.000 again, and help spread support. 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:37.000 REP CHUY GARCÍA: Thank you again. Quarter think you, appreciate your 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:40.000 leadership. 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:46.000 I know this will lead to those on the call spreading the critical word about 00:34:46.000 --> 00:35:03.000 the bill. Thank you for joining us. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:08.000 I know that we have some staff from the Congressman's office on, so please 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:13.000 I encourage you to share your contact information, and we will share that out 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:17.000 afterwards, to make sure everybody gets the information that they need to 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:23.000 endorse the bill and spread the word about it, as well. I am seeing a few 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:27.000 questions from our earlier presentation. I do want to circle back 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:31.000 to those. I will pick up with the question in the 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:33.000 Q&A. regarding ballot measures and hotel and 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:37.000 motel taxes. There was a question on how to navigate 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:40.000 those tax increases, for hotels and motels that are 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:43.000 providing services to household experiencing help census 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:45.000 -- homelessness. 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:50.000 That's a great question, increase lodging tax could have been a 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:53.000 unintended negative impact on those communities were on those services. 00:35:53.000 --> 00:36:00.000 What I would say to that is the details of the bills, 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:05.000 of the ballot measures relating to lodging taxes will differ, at the local 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:08.000 level, but many of them can build in exemptions. 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:14.000 If there is a community that wants to pursue a lodging tax increase, but is 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:16.000 worried about the adverse effects 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:19.000 on organizations that are providing services to people experiencing 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:23.000 homelessness, it is possible to craft the language to have a carveout of. 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:25.000 . 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:30.000 I would say if that is something that your community is considering, that's 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:34.000 an important adverse to think about, and there's way to class -- 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:39.000 craft the language to ensure the additional tax burden is not falling on 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:43.000 people that are serving people experiencing homelessness. That is a 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:47.000 great question. I'm going to go through and see if we 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:50.000 have other questions. Sharon asked a question about the Our 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:54.000 Homes, Our Votes Act. Fact sheet for community engagement on 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:58.000 the bill. Yes, we have writeups that we have done 00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:59.000 in past sessions, 00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:05.000 and will have a write up of the bill upon it being reintroduced that will be 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:08.000 a short summary that will go out in the coming weeks. 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:17.000 We will have that going out to our network, as soon as it is available. 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:19.000 Looking out for other questions. 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:22.000 I am seeing lots of support. 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:25.000 I will also just uplift from the chapter, 00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:26.000 -- chat, 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:30.000 that Maria, 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:37.000 Velasquez, 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:41.000 Congressman Department of outreach, you can share your email with her. 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:45.000 Thank you for sharing that. 00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:50.000 Brooke just dropped in the chat a right up we did about Our Homes, Our 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:55.000 Votes Act in 2020, 00:37:55.000 --> 00:38:02.000 and there will be updates for this soon to be reintroduced new version. 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:06.000 IMC on a question about safeguards for holding landlords accountable 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:11.000 to provide voter education 00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:15.000 in a nonpartisan way. That's a great question. This is all 00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:18.000 under federal law. There are already lots of federal 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:22.000 agencies that do voter registration, and they are strictly required to abide 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:24.000 by keeping that nonpartisan. 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:29.000 For example, when you go to the DMV, you can 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:34.000 simultaneously update your voter registration. DMV officials are trained 00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:38.000 in doing that in compliance with federal law, which strictly requires 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:39.000 nonpartisanship. 00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:44.000 There is a lot of provisions in the bill that require that sort of could 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:47.000 = -- training and there's also strict strict penalties. 00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:59.000 It's violation of federal law to do this in a partisan way 00:38:59.000 --> 00:39:03.000 so I think the safeguarding and training is built-in. Any planner that 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:09.000 would do this in a partisan way or a way that seeks to advance landlord 00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:12.000 interests, rather than just getting someone ready to vote, would 00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:14.000 face severe consequences. 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:21.000 Not seeing any other questions. 00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:26.000 I see one more question 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:29.000 from Sophia, in terms of protections to ensure follow-through. 00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:32.000 I know that the bill clarifies 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:37.000 that state election offices are responsible 00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:41.000 for some forms of enforcement, as well as the 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:44.000 elections assistance commission so that is dedicated 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:47.000 clearly in the bill, 00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:52.000 which agencies are responsible for enforcement. That is a good question. 00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:54.000 Great, 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:59.000 not seeing any more questions, we can jump back into the slides. 00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:05.000 I have a few closing announcements. 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:10.000 This is weird to be here, concluding the last few minutes of a 16 part 00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:11.000 webinar series. 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:16.000 It has been a really great journey and appreciate all of you being here 00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:22.000 in this learning journey 00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:26.000 and how to increase voter turnout in communities in bringing voter 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:28.000 engagement to the forefront. 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:36.000 We can bring the slides back up and I will share a few closing announcements. 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:40.000 Again, while this is the last webinar, in our 2024 webinar series, 00:40:40.000 --> 00:40:47.000 it is not the last time that we will be gathering 00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:53.000 as an Our Homes, Our Votes community this year. We have a network of Our 00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:56.000 Homes, Our Votes affiliates, which are nonpartisan organizations that are 00:40:56.000 --> 00:41:00.000 committed to carrying out the goals of this campaign. 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:02.000 Advocacy organizations, direct service providers, resident councils, tenant 00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:05.000 associations, local governments and other related organizations 00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:10.000 are welcome to become Our Homes, Our Votes affiliates. 00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:14.000 We will have a postelection virtual gathering for affiliates on Monday, 00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:16.000 December 2, at 2:30 PM. 00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:20.000 If your organization is not already an affiliate, but you would like to attend 00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:26.000 the 00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:31.000 gathering, be sure to apply as soon as possible and we will drop the link in 00:41:31.000 --> 00:41:34.000 the chat. This gathering will be structured and 00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:38.000 conversational banner webinars, and will take place in a meeting format 00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:43.000 rather than a webinar format. We will drop the link to become an 00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:48.000 affiliate and make sure you apply as soon as possible so that you can get 00:41:48.000 --> 00:41:52.000 the invite to the gathering. We can go to the next slide. 00:41:52.000 --> 00:41:57.000 I think I mentioned this at the beginning but for anyone that has 00:41:57.000 --> 00:42:02.000 joined since then, I want to reiterate that we have been running the webinar 00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:07.000 series all year and there has been such a wealth of knowledge and expertise 00:42:07.000 --> 00:42:11.000 shared throughout this series. I want to make sure everybody knows 00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:16.000 where you can find the webinar archive, in addition to the recordings in the 00:42:16.000 --> 00:42:21.000 slides, we also have brief paragraph plain summaries of the key takeaways of 00:42:21.000 --> 00:42:25.000 the webinar. We save a copy of the chapter, we have 00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:30.000 the transcripts, and we have all of the links shared by the panelists for each 00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:34.000 webinar. We will drop that link for you can find 00:42:34.000 --> 00:42:38.000 the webinar archive to the chat. We also have the recordings available 00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:43.000 on our YouTube channel, which we will share in the chat. Last but not least, 00:42:43.000 --> 00:42:50.000 we can go to the next slide, we want to hear your feedback so we can make Our 00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:55.000 Homes, Our Votes even better in the future. We have an Our Homes, Our Votes 00:42:55.000 --> 00:42:59.000 survey that will ask some questions about the webinar, as well as other Our 00:42:59.000 --> 00:43:02.000 Homes, Our Votes resources and opportunities that you may have 00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:05.000 accessed. We are ending a few minute early today 00:43:05.000 --> 00:43:09.000 so I really encourage you to take some time to complete the survey. We will 00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:13.000 keep the webinar open for a few more minutes in case anyone is having 00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:17.000 trouble accessing the survey, or have any questions that come up as you are 00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:20.000 taking it. We will really encourage you to take 00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:25.000 the survey and we will also share the link in a follow-up email. I think that 00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:28.000 brings us to the end. Thank you again for being such an 00:43:28.000 --> 00:43:31.000 engaging and inspiring audience throughout the webinar series. And for 00:43:31.000 --> 00:43:35.000 your incredible leadership to get out the vote in your community. I am 00:43:35.000 --> 00:43:38.000 looking forward to being in this fight together, and continuing to build the 00:43:38.000 --> 00:43:42.000 political will for housing justice all across the country. Thank you so much, 00:43:42.000 --> 00:43:45.000 everyone. Again, free to stick around and stay on 00:43:45.000 --> 00:43:50.000 and take a few minutes to fill out the survey. We will still be here for a few 00:43:50.000 --> 00:43:52.000 minutes. Thank you to everyone who is saying 00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:56.000 thank you. It really means a lot to have you all 00:43:56.000 --> 00:44:05.000 here, and to be in partnership with all of you. 00:44:05.000 --> 00:44:09.000 Live captioning by AI-Media 00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:16.000 = 00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:21.000 There is a question from Renée about enforcement and funding in the Our 00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:26.000 Homes, Our Votes act. I am going to have to look at the bill 00:44:26.000 --> 00:44:30.000 text but there's a whole section on enforcement that is outlining which 00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:33.000 agencies are responsible, so I don't remember on -- 00:44:33.000 --> 00:44:39.000 off the top of my head but it is spelled out in there and really 00:44:39.000 --> 00:45:09.000 ingrained in the requirements of the bill. Good question.