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44 years | 41 communities | 3,500+ residents About DHIC Established in 1974 with a purpose to build communities in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. 44 years | 41 communities | 3,500+ residents Provide quality, affordable rental housing Expand homeownership opportunities Enhance the economic well-being of residents www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Advocacy: An Action Word The act of speaking on the behalf of or in support of another person, place, or thing. www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Advocacy: Speak Up! Corporation for Supportive Housing www.csh.org https://www.csh.org/supportive-housing-101/speak-up/ www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Action Steps In 2016, Wake County Board of Commissioners, led by Commissioner Jessica Holmes, passed a resolution to develop a 20-year affordable housing plan and form a steering committee: Consultant hired Wake County Housing & Human Services Divisions 32 local stakeholders appointed to serve 80+ community stakeholder meetings conducted www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Affordable Housing 430,000 expected new residents by 2035 42,000 low-income households are extremely cost burden, spending more than 50% of their income on housing 49,000 low-income households are cost burden spending between 30% - 50% of their income on housing 56,000 affordable units needed across the county. 900 affordable units lost each year 120,000 – 150,000 projected unit need by 2035 www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Action Steps In 2017, Steering committee presented 20-year Affordable Housing Plan to Wake County Board of Commissioners. In 2017, Wake County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the 20-year Affordable Housing Plan. Land Use Policy Leveraged Programs New Public Resources www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Housing Goal 2013- 2018 +500 units 2019 – 2024 +2,500 new units http://www.wakegov.com/humanservices/housing/Pages/Housing-Plan.aspx www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Funding the Plan In 2018, Wake County Manager presented 2019 budget, proposing increased funding for affordable housing initiatives: $25.3 million investment in housing affordability – a $338% increase over FY 18 $5.7M FY18 current $4.6M discretionary funds $15M new revenue source New revenue source funded by property tax increase. IT PASSED!! www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Mobilizing Residents to Advocate Iris www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Mobilizing Residents to Advocate Katrina “I am living proof that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you want, but sometimes you may need a little help and encouragement along the way. DHIC took a chance on me, when no one would. I will forever be grateful to DHIC for helping me become self-sufficient and resilient.” www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

Points to Remember 1. Identify Issue/Research Issue   1. Identify Issue/Research Issue               2. Establish Position/Understand Your Role 3. Identify Audience/Create Message             4. Prepare the Messenger/Promote Your Position 5. “Thank you”/Report on Impact www.dhic.org /dhic.org /dhicinc

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