Tenants’ rights advocates, affordable home managers, and those striving for fair housing see the COVID pandemic as only worsening the barriers and struggles that already existed for those trying to find an adequate place to live. For this episode of Syracuse Speaks, we collaborated with The Southside Stand on a panel discussion focused on how COVID has impacted those on the margins of safe, affordable housing, and how programs and policies designed to help are working.
The panel was moderated by The Stand reporter Eddie Velazquez and included:
- Andrew Lunetta: Executive Director, A Tiny Home For Good
- Latoya Allen: Deputy Director for Home HeadQuarters - also board member of Blueprint 15 & Syracuse Common Councilor for District 4
- Stephanie Kenific: Organizer with Syracuse Eviction Defense Campaign and Syracuse Tenants Organizing for Power (STOP!)
- Sally Santangelo: Executive Director with CNY Fair Housing
They discussed how the pandemic impacted housing for already vulnerable Syracuse residents, the state of tenant-landlord relationships through extended eviction moratoriums, and if funding from the American Rescue Plan is reaching those who need it.
Have an idea for Syracuse Speaks? Contact Producer Kevin Kloss kfkloss@syr.edu
