We hope you and your loved ones are safe at this time, particularly those on the frontlines who are keeping our communities safe: healthcare professionals, cooks, grocery store clerks, warehouse stockers, sanitation workers, delivery drivers, and many others.
 
While this virus will hit communities regardless of race, income, or zip code, this pandemic will cause both health and economic disruptions that exacerbate the existing disparities for low-income people and communities of color that have long harmed our nation.

PolicyLink and the All-In Cities team have joined our partners across the country in advocating for a number of policies to be included in the upcoming relief bill, including getting cash in people’s hands, stopping utility shut offs, halting rent and mortgage payments, and steps towards decarceration and decriminalization. We also hosted a virtual strategy session between our Chief Equity Officers Policy Network and public health professionals to help ensure equity is at the forefront of our responses. 
 
We are heartened by the swift actions that leaders in cities across the country are taking, proving once again that local leaders are national leaders. We will continue to advocate for cities during this crisis, and will work to provide you all with additional resources as they come in. As we continue to shelter in place, we hope you can join the webinar below to ensure all people have access to housing at this time and beyond. 

COVID-19 + A Homes Guarantee

Last week, we joined several national partners to release a list of federal demands, including the demand for a rent suspension (#RentZero), and are working to get these demands included in the upcoming relief bills. We always needed a #HomesGuarantee, but this moment shows us how universal and urgent that need is. Rent is due on April 1 and millions won’t be able to pay it due to layoffs or illness. Others don't have a home at all, or haven’t had an affordable/safe place to call home for a long time. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the urgent need for safe, accessible, sustainable, permanently affordable homes for all: a national Homes Guarantee.

Our partners at People’s Action and the Action Center on Race and the Economy (ACRE) will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, March 26 at 4pm PT/7pm ET for a status update and discussion on our federal demands related to housing/homelessness during COVID-19. Register here.