X Committee Members Attend NLIHC Annual Housing Policy Conference & Lobby Day 2006

In late February, the National Low Income Housing Coalition held its 2006 Annual Housing Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

Day one of the two-day event was filled with speakers and workshops about national campaigns like the National Housing Trust fund and Employer Assisted Housing, as well as sessions dealing with specific affordable housing programs and programs that assist those of low income, such as McKinney-Vento homelessness programs.

At this year’s Conference, the Minnesota delegation was by far the largest, with seventeen advocates attending the event.

The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless helped sponsor two X Committee members’ involvement in the conference. That collaboration was yet another example of the Coalition’s ongoing effort to engage those who are or have been homeless in the work that we do.

Accompanying X Committee members Ralph Olson and Doug Fountain in Washington D.C. reiterated to me how vital it is for us to create these opportunities for collaboration.

Over the seven months that I have worked with them through my involvement as a community organizer with the X Committee, both of these men have shown tremendous leadership within the group. Their involvement in the NLIHC Conference and in lobbying illustrated their ability to guide, direct, and influence people, and at the same time helped them to strengthen those skills even more.

It is necessary to involve people who are affected by the issue of homelessness in the solution. By doing so, the potential to address the many facets of homelessness is heightened because those who are affected and understand homelessness on a level that most advocates have not experienced would, in most cases, know best.

At the same time, working to get people who are homeless involved in the effort to end homelessness changes how people view their own power. Through involvement in their communities, people experiencing homelessness gain a sense of support and see opportunities for eliciting real change.

At the conference, Ralph and Doug were able to provide a piece of the puzzle that is so often missing in everyday advocacy. They have had real life experience with homelessness and with the many programs administered through H.U.D. Therefore, they were able to paint a picture for legislators and senators, helping them to remember that their policy decisions affect real people.

At the same time, both Doug and Ralph took away an invaluable experience.

“They were really listening to us,” explained Ralph. “Neglecting the homeless has gone on for so long…it’s not a Democratic issue, and it’s not a Republican issue. Forget about the politics–these are human beings’ lives. Our involvement helped some of the representatives see who the homeless really are.”

Upon return, the two men brought knowledge of their new experiences back to the X Committee. Not only were they able to teach the group about the federal budget process and proposed cuts, but they also spoke of the importance for citizens to get involved.

“We elect these people, we have a duty to be involved…they are public servants, and we can take away their power just as easily as we can grant it,” explained Doug.

Ralph went on to say, “I got to meet my own representative and got experience lobbying. Now that I’m more educated, I can hopefully help get the X Committee more involved in working with those who are our allies.”

Perhaps motivated by the excitement and energy that both Doug and Ralph brought back with them, a new momentum has started within the group just in time for this year’s legislative session. Many members are interested in becoming more involved with this year’s Lobby Day, which will be held on March 28, 2006, and also hope to learn more about becoming effective advocates.

First and foremost, the group is committed to getting involved, especially by being active and speaking out.

As Doug often points out, “A closed mouth won’t get fed.”