Running for Housing (Because Someone Has To)

In a moment when the news out of Washington can seem untenably rough, when the gerontocracy that got us here won't give up their hold on power, when billionaires own every single media channel, when everything from housing to childcare to elderly care and healthcare have been made unaffordable, if accessible at all, and the question, what can I do? Can feel more fruitless than ever, I come bearing good news. 

Look to the young people. Look to our school boards, our cities, and in many cases to our states, our country remains a promise unfulfilled on purpose.

You need more examples of fight and progress you can actually see and touch and feel and beginning today in partnership with our best friends at Run For Something we are doing just that.

Each episode of this new series will feature two guests, both sourced from the Run for Something pipeline and graduating classes, the next generation of American leaders. 

First, I'll introduce one young elected official at the state or local level who's made real measurable progress on an issue facing more Americans than ever before.

And then in the same conversation I'll introduce a bright-eyed candidate currently running for something like a state legislature, mayor, city council, or school board, who's similarly hellbent on attacking this same issue in their hometown or state. And for all you know, it could be yours. We'll find out together what they're working on and why.

So first up today, our topic: more and more affordable homes for more of our neighbors.

It’s a big one. It’s a complicated one. There are a million ways for us to chip away at being short 4 million affordable homes and good news, again, even if it doesn’t seem that way, there are a million incredible humans already doing the work in towns and states across the country. And I’m going to introduce you to two of them today.

The first is our incumbent. Willie Burnley Jr. is a Run For Something alum who currently sits on the Somerville, Massachusetts City Council and because he is an overachiever, he is actually also running for Mayor of Somerville. Willie has firsthand experience with displacement, and he’s a fierce advocate for tenant rights and affordable housing initiatives, and he has made some real progress in Somerville.

Next I’ll talk to our candidate. Kelsea Bond is a renter, community organizer, and union member running for Atlanta City Council. They’ve organized for everyone from Nabisco workers to Delta ramp workers, and they’re running on a platform to expand inclusionary zoning, abolish parking minimums, and among other stuff, to create an Office of the Tenant Advocate.

Two amazing humans fighting more and more affordable homes for more of their neighbors, for our neighbors. Let’s find out what it means for their hometowns and for yours.

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INI Book Club:

• Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas