Ohio Women's Affordable Housing Network’s Post

Racial disparities within the housing sector continue to exclude Black equity. The gap between White and Black homeownership rates has been virtually unchanged since 2017, hovering around 42 points. On days like #Juneteenth and beyond, it is paramount that we continue working toward a more inclusive system for residents not only county-wide but nationally. Get involved with your community by checking out Juneteenth events within your neighborhood today. #EquitableHousing #HousingAffordability

Excellent conversation with Melanie Frazer, ACE and the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce! Thanks for giving me a platform to share information about the Project SEARCH program. #networking #schooltoworkprogram

This #FairHousingMonth, we celebrate the #FairHousingAct. The Act’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing provision sought to create inclusive communities throughout the country and remove the scourge of segregation. Together, we can achieve that goal. https://lnkd.in/eXc6KMi9

Did you know that as recently as 2017, five towns and cities in Prince George’s County were among the 10 most affluent African American communities in the US? Home to WHC’s Hamilton Manor community in Hyattsville, MD, Prince George's County has carried the unique distinction of the country's wealthiest majority-Black county for decades. Due to post-pandemic migration, neighboring Charles County has recently taken over this distinction. Before the 1968 Fair Housing Act, Prince George’s County was a segregated county, making it difficult if not impossible for African Americans to buy homes freely throughout the county. After the passing of the #FairHousingAct and with African Americans gaining wealth from lucrative federal government jobs, more Black families began moving into #PGCounty for community, more space, and better schools. Prince George's County at one point was the second wealthiest county in Maryland. Photo Credit: Devry Becker Jones / The Historical Marker Database #blackhistorymonth #HyattsvilleMD #segregatedbydesign

Excerpt: “In a city like Evanston, racism comes with a smile and a nod, masked behind progressive facades. But scratch the surface, and you'll find a small group pulling strings, dictating who falls in line and who faces consequences for questioning the status quo. My journey in advocating for direct cash payments as reparations has revealed uncomfortable truths about power dynamics and the lengths some will go to maintain control. Join me in uncovering the complexities of our city and why community engagement is more crucial than ever.” Excerpt: "I recall a particularly revealing encounter over coffee, where a Caucasian individual chastised me for challenging the status quo on reparations. She invited me to coffee under the guise of a different topic and then she blindsided me! This person, like many others, couldn't fathom why I refused to accept crumbs when my community deserved more than a housing program. She felt I was wrong to push for direct cash payments to be added as an option. She said, “You should just accept whatever you get.” Does anyone know how that felt for me, sitting across the table from THAT? A Caucasian person chastised me that my people should just take whatever they get for their reparations in Evanston. This woman is close friends with a few Black leaders in Evanston and she runs in that 1% of wealth crowd that, many believe, controls our local government. She wasn’t the first to come at me with this scolding. There have been several. They said if it’s good enough for their Black friends who are in leadership then it should be good enough for the rest of Black Evanston. These women didn’t see these conversations as hurtful, racist, and devaluing because these Black leaders are their close friends, so they have been made to feel safe to say and think these things. That’s Evanston racism. It's not people wearing white sheets, burning crosses, and riding around in pick-up trucks in 2024. It comes with a smile, a coffee, and a photo op sometimes." Uncover the full story and dive deep into the heart of the matter with an exclusive post on https://lnkd.in/gWncMSWH. Discover the unfiltered truth about Evanston's reparations lawsuit, racial equity, and the battle for justice. Subscribe now to gain access to the complete article and join us in exploring the critical issues shaping our community. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are solely those of the author, Meleika Gardner, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my co-hosts, Where The People Meet TV, or any affiliated organizations. Each individual associated with our platform may have their own perspectives, and we encourage diverse opinions and discussions on important issues.

Happy Juneteenth! Our office will be closed today to celebrate and observe this important day of freedom and reflection. The Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863 but it couldn't be implemented in areas still under Confederate control. In the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until June 19th, 1865. Over 2,000 Union Troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to announce that the 250,000+ enslaved Black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. The struggle for housing justice is intrinsically tied to the struggle for racial justice. The lasting effects of slavery and white supremacy have caused Black Americans to disproportionally make up 48% of the unhoused population while only representing 13% of the general US population. Racist housing policies and practices such as redlining, white flight, purposeful disinvestment in Black neighborhoods, source of income discrimination, and criminal background checks have made housing stability out of reach for many in the Black community. For those of us who work in homeless services, we must understand the roots of racial injustice and commit to anti-racist actions that will transform our communities. Sources: Us Census Bureau National Alliance to End Homelessness Smithsonian #juneteenth2023 #juneteenth #cleveland #ohio #housingjustice #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #OfficeClosed

"South Carolina, with a population of 5.3 million people, has an estimated 450,000 lacking internet access. For our state to be successful, this divide must be – and is being – treated as a major public policy issue. Lack of internet access is not simply about the ability to stream entertainment and shop online. Lack of access can preclude individuals from accessing career and educational opportunities and mental and physical health resources, and it makes community development and revitalization efforts Herculean. As such, ensuring access to reliable, high-speed internet is one of the most defining public policy measures of our time and one for which the State of South Carolina is working hard to obtain for all its citizens." 📄 Read our latest Policy Forum by Brenton Brown, chief of staff at South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. The Policy Forum is a monthly guest column that takes an in-depth look at policy areas that impact children and families. Go to bit.ly/4c11MsT! #ChampionsForChildren

📅 Today, we commemorate Juneteenth – a day that marks the historic moment on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and declare freedom for all enslaved people, in accordance with President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. 🌟 Juneteenth is a day of reflection and celebration. It acknowledges the significant progress made towards equality and justice while also recognizing the ongoing struggles faced by African Americans. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and contributions of African Americans throughout history. 🤝 At DEMA – Disaster Emergency Medical Assistance, we honor this legacy by committing ourselves to the values of equality, justice, and holistic care. We are dedicated to providing essential services to our community, including housing for the homeless, social welfare, mental health and substance use disorder assistance, and emergency services. 🏠 Our Impact: - With a high success rate, our programs are among the best in the nation. - We employ holistic trauma-informed care practices, maintaining cultural competency to effectively support diverse populations. 🌍 Investing in Our Community: We believe in improving our community by helping those in need. Our unique and successful programs are designed to reach the most vulnerable, reflecting our commitment to fostering a more equitable and just society. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth by reflecting on our shared history and continuing the work towards a brighter future for all. Together, we can make a difference. • • #Juneteenth #Equality #Justice #HolisticCare #DEMA #CommunitySupport #Resilience #HolisticTraumaInformedCare #CulturalCompetency #EmergencyServices

Our offices are closed today in observance of #Juneteenth, a pivotal day in American history. Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom - more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a profound symbol of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing fight for #equality. We recognize that equity is fundamental to social justice. Disparities disproportionately affect the Black community, resulting in higher rates of chronic diseases, lower life expectancy, and limited access to essential resources. As an organization, we are committed to fostering #inclusivity and #understanding while continuously working to improve access to #healthcare for all. Learn more by visiting https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF

April is National #FairHousingMonth. This month, we commemorate the anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibited housing discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or nationality. However, we know that many of the tools of housing discrimination--and their lasting impacts--remain. This month, we will be sharing examples of how discriminatory practices have barred non-white families from accessing housing in La Crosse. First, we invite our community to learn how these practices took shape here in La Crosse. Join us for Then + Now: Housing Access, Insecurity, and Discrimination in La Crosse on April 16 or 17. More information here: https://lnkd.in/gKBrq9cc #fairhousing #affordablehousing #homeownership #habitatforhumanity #lacrosse #housingdiscrimination #homeownershipgap #advancingblackhomeownership #localhistory