Sanders Adopts People’s Action’s ‘Homes Guarantee’ Policies in Newly Released Housing Plan

Sanders’ plan draws on many aspects of the housing justice policy package released by
grassroots organizers on September 5

 

For Immediate Release
September 18, 2019
Contact: Tara Raghuveer, (913) 593-7032‬
[email protected]

CHICAGO – On Wednesday, 2020 Presidential candidate and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders unveiled a housing policy plan that incorporates much of the framework of People’s Action’s Homes Guarantee plan. The Homes Guarantee earned significant attention from progressives online when it launched on September 5 and was downloaded more than 1,000 times in the first 48 hours after its release.

The Sanders plan, detailed in full on his website, explicitly states that “we need a homes guarantee,” and calls for:

  • Building millions of units of social housing
  • $70 billion reinvestment in public housing
  • National rent control
  • Decarbonization of housing infrastructure
  • Commitment to end homelessness nationwide

“Line-by-line, you can see our grassroots vision for a Homes Guarantee in Senator Sanders’ plan,” said People’s Action housing justice campaign director Tara Raghuveer, who organized the 14-month process which generated the Homes Guarantee. “His plan calls for significant structural reforms that address the root causes of the housing affordability and homelessness crisis. It names the perpetrators of the crisis and proposes policy to hold them accountable. The plan honors the need to move more housing off the private market and into public hands. It’s not perfect, but Senator Sanders’ plan is truly historic in its ambition.”

This coming Saturday, September 21, Senator Sanders will attend the first People’s Presidential Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, hosted by People’s Action and local member organization Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg are also scheduled to attend. The Homes Guarantee will be among the policies about which candidates are asked.

Sanders has not publicly endorsed the Homes Guarantee, but more than a dozen candidates for Congress and state and local office have already officially stated support for the People’s Action plan. A preliminary list of formally endorsing candidates and elected officials is expected to be released by People’s Action in coming weeks.

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The briefing book, spokesperson contact information, and photos are available for use by the press upon request. Please email Tara Raghuveer at [email protected] for further assistance. 

People’s Action is a progressive, multiracial, working-class coalition of more than a million people and 48 member organizations in 30 states. We fight for racial, gender, climate and economic justice.