All-In Cities: Join All-In Cities in Washington, DC

As the United States undergoes a profound demographic shift amidst rising inequality and persistent racial inequities, cities must lead the way to inclusive prosperity. We are excited to host a convening later this month with Prudential Financial to discuss how to connect people of color with the opportunities cities are creating, and how to ensure that as cities continue to transform, everyone participates and benefits. We are also thrilled to see progress on affordable rental housing and anti-displacement in Los Angeles and Boston on the heels of the #RenterWeekofAction! Register for the convening and learn more below.
 
Upcoming Convening: All-In Cities: Leading the Nation Toward Inclusive Prosperity 
From baking equity into their governance structures to building economic development strategies that close the racial wealth gap, cities continue to advance new models of equitable growth and development. On October 30, at 2 p.m., join equity leaders from around the country in Washington, DC, to discuss how we can advance efforts to ensure cities are places of opportunity for all. Speakers include Charlottesville’s Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy, journalist Jamelle Bouie, Philadelphia Councilwoman Helen Gym, and Dr. Manuel Pastor among others. To register to attend in-person (or via livestream) CLICK HERE.
 
A Win for Affordable Housing in South-Central Los Angeles
On October 3rd, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) and PolicyLink announced an agreement that will roughly triple the number of long-term affordable housing units within a 1,440-unit, $1.2 billion mixed-use development project in South-Central Los Angeles. South-Central faces some of the most intensive affordable housing pressures in the U.S., and many low-income families in the neighborhood must double- or triple-up within single units to afford rising rents. This new requirement secures the affordable housing stock for more than 50 years, representing an investment worth approximately $20 million. The All-In Cities team is proud to work with national expert and PolicyLink James O. Gibson Fellow Julian Gross to support grassroots coalitions in negotiating community benefits agreements on large development projects. Read more here.
 
#RenterWeekofAction
Renters are the majority in the nation’s largest cities, and during the Renter Week of Action, September 18-24, renters in dozens of cities held actions and assemblies to build momentum for tenant protections and more. Following on the actions, this week Boston passed a just cause eviction ordinance. Our analysis in partnership with Right to the City and CarsonWatch found that addressing renter affordability would boost economic security and help build thriving cities. In a piece for Next City, Angel Ross explained “If no renter households paid more than 30 percent of income on rent, they would have an extra $124 billion to put back into their family budgets where they could pay for the basics like healthcare, child care, transportation or food.” You can check out his op-ed here, and visit the National Equity Atlas for fact sheets on the importance of renters in 38 cities where actions took place.
 
Preventing the ‘Second Disaster’
After Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, associate director Tracey Ross wrote a piece for ThinkProgress on the need for cities to lead an equitable recovery process. She explained, “once the images fade from the news and the conversation around these disasters tapers off, communities risk what some call the ‘second disaster’ — a recovery and rebuilding process that leaves behind those most in need. Following a disaster, local leaders can either use the opportunity to push towards racial inclusion and equitable growth, or deepen systemic inequities that have plagued their city for generations.” Check out the full piece here as well as her conversation about this issue on the Thom Hartmann Program.