Eviction and the Pandemic: What We’re Learning and What Comes Next

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 5

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am PDT (1:30 pm -2:30 pm EDT)

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Panelists:

Michelle Gilbert, Lawyer's Committee for Better Housing

Sarah Gallagher, National Low Income Housing Coalition ERASE Project

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Description:

A concerted national effort to protect public health and rein in COVID-19 has led to federal and state eviction moratoria, unprecedented investments in emergency rent assistance, and other policies to prevent evictions. As we plan this session, COVID-19 case rates are rising again, the CDC has reinstated a national eviction moratorium through October 3, and a small number of states still have their own moratoriums. Rent assistance is being distributed, although not quickly enough, and many communities are using local strategies to address eviction and its impacts. These include sealing eviction records and expanding access to legal assistance and court-based mediation programs. Join us to discuss the effectiveness of these strategies and explore reducing barriers to finding future housing. We'll spotlight current advocacy needs and additional policy reforms, especially those supported by the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s ERASE (End Rental Arrears to Stop Evictions) project.

Voter Engagement – The Georgia Story

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 5

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am PDT (1:30 pm -2:30 pm EDT)

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Panelists:

Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown, President and CEO, Georgia ACT

Jerry Gonzalez

Rev. Fer-Rell Malone

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Description:

Join Georgia ACT’s President and CEO, Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown, and representatives from Georgia's urban, rural, and Latino populations for a discussion of the 2020 Georgia voter engagement activities and 2021 initiatives, including the 42-city tour across the state that Georgia ACT and a group of collaborators recently completed. The group sponsored local town hall meetings on the impacts of Senate Bill 202 and the American Rescue Plan, and information on how local communities can access funds for community projects related to voter engagement. She'll speak about current activities too, such as campaigns centered around getting people out to vote or how they plan on getting to the polls to vote. Dr. Hayes-Brown will also discuss voter engagement activities for the upcoming mid-term elections, and panelists will provide suggestions for engagement at the national level.

Community Development and Public Health as Pandemic Partners

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 5

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDT (3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT)

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Panelists:

Dr. Bambie Hayes-Brown, CEO, Geogria ACT

Sherrell Byrd

Liz Coyle

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Description:

In the middle of the pandemic, the City of Albany was labeled the COVID epicenter of south Georgia. Hear how one community organization in Albany implemented programs to support a community with health challenges that provided the perfect breeding ground for the spread of the virus. Georgia ACT will also share what they encountered around the state on their 42-city 3V (Vaccines, Visions and Votes) Liberation Tour, and discuss their grant-funded partnership with Georgia Watch, the Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgians for Healthy Future, Public Agenda and Altarum - an initiative focused on training community healthcare workers to engage with local community leaders and elected officials in support of funding, programs, and services for their communities.

Best Practices in Co-located Domestic Violence Services: Home Forward and the YWCA of Greater Portland

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 6

Time:  9:00 am - 10:00 am PDT (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT)

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Presenter:

Jaidra Hennessey, Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs, YWCA of Greater Portland

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Description:

Jaidra Hennessey, Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs with the YWCA of Greater Portland, will examine the successes and challenges of embedding Domestic Violence (DV) Advocates within a Public Housing Authority (PHA). When Home Forward, the PHA for Multnomah County, Oregon, and the YWCA partnered to provide advocacy services to survivors of abuse in subsidized housing, the expectation was that DV would decrease. Yet, despite the program's success, more referrals than ever are being made. This workshop presents an opportunity to explore the nature and structure of the advocacy partnership, considerations when partnering with victim service providers, navigating complex and changing policies, managing conflict, and why increased referrals are actually a good thing.

Eliminating a Barrier: Fair Housing and Advocacy for Housing Applicants with Criminal Histories

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 6

Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm PDT (4:30 pm - 5:30 pm EDT)

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Presenter:

Glenda Moyer, Eastern Oregon Education and Outreach Specialist, Fair Housing Council of Oregon

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Description:

Criminal history can be a barrier for some when trying to secure housing. And yet many people with disabilities who have criminal history and people of color continue to face fair housing discrimination. When criminal history is directly related to a disability or when a housing applicant can provide information about a positive shift or change in their criminal behavior, housing providers should consider the applicant. This session will provide advocates information on how to submit reasonable accommodation requests when assisting those with disabilities when related to their criminal record. Criminal history screening for housing has a disparate impact on communities of color due to inequality in the criminal justice system. We will learn about HUD’s 2016 guidance around people’s right to ask for individual consideration regarding their background.     

Creating Permanent Supportive Housing Through a Trauma Informed Lens

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 6

Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm PDT (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm EDT)

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Presenter:

Briana Manfrass, Associate Principal, Pinnacle Architecture

Ryan Cain, Project Designer, Pinnacle Architecture

Stacey Witte, Executive Director, REACH (Relationship Empowerment Action Compassion Heart)

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Description:

Imagine being a veteran suffering from PTSD and addiction and living on the streets in a constant state of flight or fight. You’re invited to live in a new PSH (Permanent Supported Housing) community with a roof over your head, a comfortable bed, and services to get you on your feet. It sounds like a dream come true, but for that veteran it’s a drastic change filled with unknowns. Going from living outdoors to occupying an enclosed space surrounded by strangers can trigger traumas and make it very difficult to transition into a new life. Anyone who wants to create successful PSH projects needs to understand that residents have experienced trauma and it's important to create an environment that promotes a sense of pride and dignity. Attendees will hear from a professional who works with our community’s most vulnerable daily and learn how designers integrate their needs into PSH projects.

Pathways to Stability for People Experiencing IDD and Homelessness

Date: Thursday, October 7

Time:  1:30 pm - 2:30 pm PDT (4:30 pm - 5:30 pm EDT)

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Moderator:

Margaret Van Vliet, Consultant, Trillium Advisors

Presenters:

Terri Silvis, Ph.D, CEO, Horizon Projects

Jennifer Knapp, Executive Director, Community Vision

Bryce Bahler, LICSW, Director, Transitional Community Treatment, Ryther

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Description:

This session will highlight the challenges and opportunities to securing stable housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Building off of EcoNorthwest's 2020 data study that revealed deep but still hidden unmet housing needs for this special population, three project sponsors will share how they are forging solutions for our neurodiverse neighbors in both urban and rural communities.

The Integration of Affordable Housing and Healthcare Services for a Comprehensive Whole-Person Approach

Date: Friday, October 8

Time:  10:30 am - 11:30 am PDT (1:30 pm -2:30 pm EDT)

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Panelists:

Mary-Rain O'Meara, Director, Real Estate Development, Central City Concern

Kerrie Bartel-Christensen, Interim Senior Vice President of Real Estate Strategy and Operations for Providence St. Joseph Health in the Oregon Region

Rose Bak, Chief Program Officer at Catholic Charities of Oregon

Matt Godt, Senior Project Manager/Business Development Manager, Walsh Construction

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Description:

Join the conversation, moderated by Matt Godt of Walsh Construction Co., as panelists from Central City Concern, Catholic Charities of Oregon, and Providence St. Joseph Health Oregon discuss how the integration of comprehensive care for the whole person and safe, stable shelter can successfully address the problem of chronic homelessness in communities. Health can’t happen when people don’t have safe and stable homes. To improve health outcomes, the organizations aimed to build affordable housing combined with onsite health services for lower income working people, including those who have experienced homelessness. Creating a comprehensive whole-person approach involves providing direct access to housing, which supports lifestyle change; attainment of income through employment and/or accessing benefits; integrated health care services that are highly effective in engaging people who are often alienated from mainstream systems; and the development of peer relationships that nurture and support personal transformation and recovery.

Stronger Together: Bridging the Gap Between Resident Services and Property Management

Date: Friday, October 8

Time:  1:30 pm - 2:30 pm PDT (4:30 pm - 5:30 pm EDT)

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Presenters:

Elizabeth Carr, Resident Services Program Manager, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County

Jennifer Cervantes, Compliance Officer, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County

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Description:

Why are they even here? They shouldn't be getting involved. I can't share that info with you. You're not qualified to speak on this issue. They're only here so we can get funding. Can't you just go host a potluck?! If you've ever said these things about Resident Services (or heard them said about you) then this session is for you! Two years ago, the Resident Services and Property Management departments at St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County were neck-deep in mutual misunderstanding and bad habits. Through time, hard work, and a lot of self-examination these groups forged one of the strongest relationships in their agency. Join to hear a panel of Resident Services and Property Management staffers explain the steps they took to create a collaborative partnership that upholds lease compliance while continuing to support tenants and meet them where they are.