Chapter 8A Call to Action
Regional problems require regional solutions. The dashboards included in the HIT are just the beginning – but we must start from somewhere. Equipped with the knowledge of where we stand in each jurisdiction, we can effectively pivot to best meet the needs for housing supply and a more equitable region. It has often been said the definition of insanity is repeating the same over and over again, and expecting a different result. As we mention at the beginning of this narrative, there is a vested interest in doing more of the same. The very fabric of our society is woven with policies and programs that are intended to maintain the status quo – benefiting a few at the expense of others.
To obtain different results, we must get comfortable with the uncomfortable. One of the first steps we can take is holding each other accountable to reaching our collective goal of increasing the housing supply. What does this look like? We must be supportive to our fellow organizations, and reach across sector lines, because ultimately a win for one of us is a win for all. It is also within those intersections that we tap into the innovative partnerships needed to creatively address the challenge in front of us.
In addition to holding each other accountable, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the need for a just and equitable COVID-19 recovery. We keep everyone who has felt the weight of the pandemic in our thoughts – from those who have lost loved ones, to the frontline workers, to small businesses forced to close their doors and the families struggling to make ends meet. It is also not lost upon us that Black, indigenous, Latinx, and other communities of color were disproportionately impacted. HAND is fully committed to centering equity in all that we do, and we look forward to integrating racial equity indicators as we plan for the next iterations of HIT. Armed with this information, HAND will be better positioned to advance the advocacy and capacity-building needed to support our members in this critical time of rebuilding.
Simply put, we’ve got work to do. It won’t be easy, but rarely is anything worth achieving. Everyone deserves access to housing that is safe, decent and affordable. If you’d like to join us in the movement to increase and preserve our supply of affordable housing across the Capital Region, visit HAND’s website to learn about the many ways you can get involved.