ERASE Racism Advocates for Fair Housing Goals to be Incorporated in Sandy Relief

In the aftermath of Sandy, ERASE Racism partnered with the Fair Share Housing Center of New Jersey to advocate for fair housing goals to be incorporated into the Sandy Relief package. Together we drafted a letter for New York and New Jersey congressional delegations to ensure that fair housing laws were not waived for federal relief funds that would be used to build housing. We also wanted to ensure that low-income residents and communities of color were properly served by FEMA and CDBG funds post- Sandy. Additionally we used the opportunity to advocate for an increase in the Low Income Housing Tax Credits used to build affordable housing for the NY/NJ region. We only had a matter of days to draft the letter and recruit others to sign on to the letter; however, we had 77 signatories, which included Long Island organizations ranging from local non-profits to business groups.

Since then, the President has signed the $50.5 billion dollar package into law. The bill complies with two of the three key principles set forth in the letter-adhering to fair housing and civil rights principles and providing significant funding for the Community Development Block Grant program. The third principle, expanding the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, is part of a separate bill that is just starting to be considered. We will keep you posted as that progresses.

Now communities in New York and New Jersey can truly begin the rebuilding process. ERASE Racism is working with fair housing organizations and others to ensure that the relief money does not exacerbate our already severe racial segregation on Long Island and also that low- and moderate-income residents are fairly included as relief recipients. We hope you will join these efforts.