Welcome Home Coalition

"Voices for Housing Justice program is for people with lived experiences of housing insecurity and or homelessness. In this training series conducted by Welcome Home staff participants have the opportunity to learn about local housing policy how to participate in advocacy and tips on telling their personal housing story in order to advocate for more equitable housing options. To learn more see our webpage here: https: welcomehomecoalition.org voices-for-housing-justice While the training series primarily focuses on regional housing policies we hope that the skills practiced during this training translate into leadership development for participants. The training consists of 12 hours of curriculum and the timing of the delivery is flexible. We work with the interested cohort to find out what works best for the group. We ask that partners suggest dates and times that work for your participants. We offer the training online or in person. In person sessions provide catered food. Participants receive $20 hour for hours they attend. Additionally transportation and childcare reimbursement support is available if needed."

"Policy Advocacy and Coalition Building: We convene regular workgroups with our members to create and disseminate policy advocacy tools and coordinate advocacy activities. A steering committee and community advisory committee also meet regularly to research and discuss current housing policies and how the coalition can influence more long term solutions to our regional affordable housing shortage. To continue to successfully pass policies that reflect the mission of our coalition we must ensure that the public understands the root causes of housing insecurity and expand the supply and access to affordable stable housing for all. The strategies we use to further these goals are policy advocacy public education and community leadership development. "

"Welcome Home launched Community Conversations for Housing Justice to connect with community groups to facilitate conversations about the root causes of homelessness and to discuss solutions that are rooted in dignity and sustainability. Housing is on everybody's mind and many of us want to do something to fix the crisis but it can feel overwhelming. Let's come together and break down the issue and learn from each other and hopefully attendees leave these conversations with new information and action steps new relationships and new hope! Following a brief informational presentation by Welcome Home's director advocates from our Voices for Housing Justice program who have lived experience with homelessness housing instability take time to share their personal stories. Afterward the Welcome Home director facilitates an open dialogue with event attendees about concerns and solutions to our housing crisis. The program seeks to connect with community members outside our coalition membership to create improved understanding and collaboration across difference."