During the Housing Town Hall at the Booker T. Washington Center hosted by Erie County United on Saturday April 26, Erie citizens came together to discuss housing issues with elected officials and organizations such as the Erie Spiritual Coalition and Erie Redevelopment Authority. The room reached a shared consensus that housing should be a human right, and changes are necessary to make the housing in Erie safer, more affordable, and more accessible.
Participants had opportunities to interact with other renters and homeowners in small breakout group activities, sharing concerns and solutions. During these guided conversations, people mentioned the prevalence of lead paint and mold, lack of new builds and affordable housing, and housing inequality.
The event also included speakers and a panel of elected officials from both city and county councils. Co-Founder of Erie Spiritual Coalition (ESC) Susannah Faulkner outlined the Tenant Bill of Rights, which passed into local law in January. It includes the right to safe housing, reasonable accommodations, clear and fair leases, and more. Faulkner explained that ESC is working to implement the bill of rights so all people in Erie understand their rights and responsibilities…