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Laws and programs designed to benefit vulnerable groups, such as the disabled or people of color, often end up benefiting all of society.

Regressive fines-and-fees systems that strip wealth from low-income families and people of color not only hinder the financial security of vulnerable families, they also compromise the economic strength of cities and regions overall. But community leaders and local officials can take the lead to reform these systems, using an equity lens to design fair, just, and sustainable systems to finance public budgets. This webinar will focus on strategies to reform inequitable court fines and fees to support the economic security and mobility of low-income residents.

Featured Speakers:

Getting Equity Advocacy Results (GEAR) provides useful benchmarks, frameworks, and tools for measuring progress in equity efforts, for policy change across a range of issues.

Tell Secretary Carson fair housing and anti-discrimination should remain priority for HUD

Secretary Carson is colluding with those who long for a day when housing and other forms of discrimination were legal. By removing anti-discrimination language from HUD’s mission, this Administration is guaranteeing that our government will not be a shield against oppression.

The 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act is just weeks away, rather than embracing and celebrating the duties bestowed upon HUD by that landmark legislation, Secretary Carson seeks to run in the opposite direction ignoring his responsibilities to ensure fair housing for all. To those who would say “it’s just a change in language”, we say words matter.  That “change in language” signals a real shift in the emphasis and priorities for the Department.  

Tell Secretary Carson fair housing and anti-discrimination should remain a focus and priority for HUD.  Make sure that your voice and opinion are heard on this matter.  Sign on to a national letter led by our partners at the National Fair Housing Alliance here and sign a petition led by the CarsonWatch partnership (of which PolicyLink is a core partner).

March 2018

Inclusive Procurement And Contracting: Building a Field of Policy and Practice

Overview

This study, co-authored by Emerald Cities and PolicyLink, and generously supported by a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, surveys the current landscape on inclusive procurement and contracting policies and practices in the infrastructure and construction industries. The goal was to specifically determine how to best position minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses (MWDBEs) to effectively compete for large-scale construction projects in these industries. A successful inclusive procurement program of action is key not only to providing jobs, but also to closing the wealth gap needed to secure the well-being and future of children, families, and the regions in which they live.

This report details the rationale for inclusive practices in this industry and includes historical and current equitable development policies and trends. It also identifies challenges and best practices and sets forth recommendations for strengthening the field of practice. The report provides insight into inclusive procurement and contracting policies within the energy, water, transportation, health, education, and public housing sectors. It also considers the field of practice in different geographic regions of the United States. Download executive summary here.

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