ReFrame Washington 2022

The goal for this year's virtual advocacy event is to understand the policy priorities and legislative asks of other housing organizations so that we can amplify them and use them to inform our own advocacy campaign. You'll get to talk with folks from DC in the comfort of your office or home! Attendees will have the opportunity to shape the Coalition's 2022 advocacy campaign. 

Last year, ReFrame Washington was a two-day virtual event that consisted of hour-long meetings. We're condensing this year's event to a single day with 30-minute conversations so that it is more accessible and affordable for Coalition participations. Consider this your crash course in housing advocacy!

Agenda for March 30: all times are EDT

10:00-10:45 am: Opening session

• In this session, we'll get to know each other, review the Coalition's 2021 advocacy activities, discuss our findings related to advocacy from our 2022 contact person survey, and begin making plans for our 2022 advocacy campaign. We'll also hear Gabrielle (Gabby) Ross, Housing Advocacy Organizer at National Low Income Housing Coalition. She'll share some Advoccay 101 tips and about their advocacy work.

11:00am-12:00 pm: Habitat for Humanity International

• We'll hear from staff at Habitat for Humanity International's Government Relations & Advocacy Office. Audrey Johnston, Director of Rural Affairs, and James Privette, Specialist for the Cost of Homes Campaign, will share general advocacy tips as well as information about how best to advocate for housing policies and funding this year. 

1:00-1:30 pm: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

• In this session, we'll hear from Mark Kudlowitz, Senior Director of Policy at LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) about the Community Restoration and Revitalization Fund (CRRF), which was formulated through the Build Back Better legislation. We'll also talk with Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President, about the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act.

1:45-2:15 pm: National Rural Housing Coalition

• We will hear from Bob Rapoza, Executive Secretary of the National Rural Housing Coalition. We'll talk about appropriations for USDA 504 Home Repair Grants & Loans and other programs that fund home repairs, such as USDA 533 Housing Preservation Grant. This is the first time that we'll talk with NRHC during ReFrame Washington.

2:30-3:00 pm: Housing Assistance Council

• In this session, we'll have a conversation with staff from the Housing Assistance Council (HAC). Jonathan Harwitz, HAC's new Director of Policy, and Lance George, Director of Research and Information, will share about HAC's 2022 policy priorities. 

3:30-4:00pm: HomesRenewed Coalition

• In this session, we'll talk with Louis Tenenbaum, Founder & CEO of the HomesRenewed Coalition. Their mission is to significantly increase the number of American homes prepared for residents to live throughout the modern lifespan by conducting research and educating consumers and legislators. We'll learn about their advocacy efforts related to a bill in Congress that would provide a tax credit of up to $30,000 for age-friendly home renovations.

4:00-4:30 pm: Closing session

• Immediately following the 3:30pm session, we'll debrief our meetings and form a plan for our 2022 advocacy campaign.