Fit for a King 2023 Agenda

Welcome

Fair Housing as a Reproductive Justice Issue: 

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 has brought a deeper sense of urgency to reproductive justice work across the United States. In Louisiana, we have long experienced immense racial inequity in access to reproductive health care and some of the worst outcomes for birthing people and children in the country, particularly for Black families. Research has linked these racial disparities in maternal and infant outcomes with discriminatory housing policies such as redlining, as well as with unhealthy housing, eviction and gentrification, all of which disproportionately effect communities of color. This panel will explore the many links between housing justice and reproductive justice. 

Award for Courage

The Limits of Homeownership as a Strategy to Build Black Wealth: 

The wealth gap between white and Black families in the United States is the highest it's been in 40 years. A primary contributor to the wealth gap is generations of discriminatory housing policies, so it's not surprising that many advocates have attempted to address the wealth gap by increasing Black homeownership. Unfortunately, even when Black families are able to buy homes, systemic racism - including the rampant devaluation of Black neighborhoods, lending discrimination, appraisal discrimination, environmental racism, and the increasing and racially disproportionate effects of climate change - frequently erode the ability for homeownership to lead to wealth building, or even turn homeownership into a liability for Black families. 

The Fight for Healthy Homes: Defending Our Progress and Advocating for a Safe Home for All Louisianans

Cities around the state and the country are considering and passing programs to protect renters’ health and hold slumlords accountable. Advocates in New Orleans fought for and won a Healthy Homes Ordinance last fall, but not before the City Council significantly watered it down. Hear from advocates and government leaders from around the state about what steps we can take to ensure everyone has a safe and healthy home and how we defend our work at the local level against state preemption. 

Fair Housing Hero Awards

Keynote Address

The Keynote Address will be delivered by Linda Villarosa, acclaimed author of the book Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation.  For more information on Linda Villarosa, please visit her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and at lindavillarosa.com.