1. Creating a Federal Advocacy Program The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance’s path to sustained federal advocacy Alouise Urness, Federal Policy Coordinator
2. Less than two years ago, the Housing Alliance had one overworked Director of Policy and Advocacy trying to stay on top of both state and federal housing and homelessness issues…
3. A question was raised: is there a bigger role for the Housing Alliance to fill in federal advocacy? To answer the question, the Housing Alliance has taken a series of steps…
8. Work in two directions: Engaging the membership Developing relationships with the congressional delegation In both cases…
9. Give, then ask What can you offer your members? Educational seminars likethe Housing Alliance’s “Learn at Lunch” Include federal updates in already popular email blasts. For example, the Housing Alliance’s: “The Week in Housing Advocacy” during state session.
10. Give, then ask, part II What can you offer your federal elected officials? Info on the need in their district Info on how programs and resources are used locally Updates on state law Recognition for supportive actions/votes Access to stakeholders
11. Ask, then ask others to ask A Housing Allianceexample: the National Housing Trust Fund The same ask - different mediums, different constituents
12. Bringing others along Continue the dialog with members, partner organizations, funders Housing Alliance has: Developed a follow-up survey Involved members in planning events with federal legislators Invited funders to participate in educational calls, receive action alerts
13. Next steps Newsletter for our members of Congress Special events Sen. Maria Cantwell Rep. Jay Inslee Branding for federal updates and alerts Continuing and improving “Learn at Lunch”
14. To learn more about our federal advocacy work Visit our website: www.wliha.org - view archived federal updates and action alerts - sign up for Housing Alliance alerts Or, contact me: Alouise@wliha.org (206) 442-9455 x 203