How You Can Help Today!
Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!” In that spirit, AHACO creates a monthly quick guide to help neighbors get involved in housing advocacy… no experience needed! We carefully select a variety of trending events and topics so that there’s a little something for everyone. It’s a great way to grab a friend and change our little part of the world!
July: Advocate!
Live or work in Licking County? Then take the “Licking County Forward” survey to share your thoughts on housing and affordability in the community, and where we go next!
If you’ve got strong feelings on environmental sustainability and healthy buildings, Columbus’ Building Energy Performance Standard is now open for a 60 day comment period (through August 30th). The “evergreen” question: how do we make our buildings environmentally friendly without driving costs up? Share your suggestions today!
Franklin County just released their new Housing Action Plan and they are actively seeking partnerships on employer-assisted housing benefits, down payment assistance programs for employees, and workforce financial wellness initiatives including credit-building and financial counseling. Share an idea or refer a friend.
Columbus is hosting the final community meeting to design its fair housing assessment. Meet up at AHACO’s offices at 215 North Front on July 15 at 2:00 to get your recommendations in!
The City of Columbus is launching a participatory budgeting project on July 6th, where residents can have a direct say in how the City budget is created. Keep an eye on their website for details on how your awesome housing idea can make the list!
July: Donate!
Jewish Family Services continues to navigate unprecedented challenges. Last year, they lost more than $2.5 million in federal funding, which directly threatens critical staffing and infrastructure that thousands of Central Ohio neighbors rely on, at a time when inflation and housing instability are driving demand for our services higher than ever. Consider making a financial contribution to help.
Help Huckleberry House serve kids in crisis. Their needs list today includes food that can be eaten on the go with a high calorie payload: Instant noodles, bottled water, juice pouches, Pop-Tarts, applesauce cups, and Hot Pockets. Send a gift through their Amazon Wishlist.
A new group called THAW has launched a fundraising effort to support rent, mortgage, and utility costs for Central Ohio families who had an income-earner deported or detained, who lost their job due to the immigrant crackdown, or who fear leaving home.
July: volunteer!
On Saturday, August 15 from 8:30am to 3:30pm, Strong Towns Columbus is partnering with Habitat for Humanity MidOhio for a volunteer build day on one of their first multi-family housing projects. No construction experience is needed to join! Training, tools, safety equipment, and lunch will all be provided. Sign up online to be part of this awesome impact!
Sign up for a “Kindness Close to Home” shift from the Columbus Foundation. After you attend a 30-minute Neighboring 101 session, the Center for HumanKindness will mail you a free gathering kit. The kit includes supplies to make hosting your gathering easier, like invitations, a welcome banner, name tags, napkins, planning suggestions, and a $25 gift card to Kroger to help with the cost of snacks. (or if you want to throw a block party to talk about housing specifically, check out AHACO’s House Party kit… same idea, more housing!)
July: Engage!
Join AHACO on July 10th for our monthly “Coffee & Whatever”… unprogrammed, unrestrained. Come hang out and we’ll talk housing.
Keep the birthday parting rolling with the National Housing Council on July 21 for “Celebrating 250: Live, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Homeownership".
This one is for the finance wonks! Join the Urban Institute on July 27th at 2:00 PM for “Tackling Housing Supply & Affordability Challenges Through Mixed Income Housing Finance Innovations.” Yes, it’s nerdy. But it’s also a hugely untapped way of boosting affordability, reviving neighborhoods, and promoting integrated communities all at once.
Are you ready to take your housing passion full-time? Join the National Housing Law Project for the July 29th segment of its summer webinar series, “Launching Your Career in Housing Justice”. We’d love to have you!
