The Sanders Institute Gathering Presents: U.S. Congress Roundtable on the Housing Crisis

Dear Sanders Institute Community, Our recent panel, featuring U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna, provided profound insights into the critical issues of affordable housing and homelessness. We invite you to view the full discussion on the Sanders Institute website and our YouTube channel. Senator Sanders reflected on his upbringing in a working-class family and the pivotal role rent control played for his family. He discussed the first municipal community land trust he started when he was Mayor of Burlington, Vermont. He highlighted his work on the National Affordable Housing Act and the Green New Deal for Public Housing, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, cutting fuel bills, and creating jobs by rehabilitating public housing. He called for a grassroots movement to re-prioritize national policies to address the housing crisis, emphasizing that the U.S., as a wealthy nation, has the means to build affordable housing and protect its citizens. Congresswoman Jayapal, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, addressed the recurring challenge of sidelining housing issues in political agendas despite their critical importance. She discussed the Build Back Better plan, which initially sought to address infrastructure, childcare, and housing through substantial investments. She decried the historical lack of sufficient housing investments, criticized rampant price-fixing for exacerbating the crisis, and called for a comprehensive approach that integrates housing with essential services like healthcare and education. Congressman Khanna highlighted the stark disparity in housing within Silicon Valley, a region rich in tech wealth yet plagued by severe income inequality. He underscored the inadequate response to the housing crisis and explained how his Stop Wall Street Landlords Act would curtail the growing influence of private equity in housing. He called for a more robust economic justice agenda within the Democratic Party to confront systemic issues and powerful interests hindering progress. Watch the full discussion here! Thank you for your continued support. Warm regards, Jane O'Meara Sanders & Dave Driscoll The Sanders Institute Paid for by the Sanders Institute 131 Church St., Burlington, VT 05401 The Sanders Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.   Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from The Sanders Institute, please click here.