ADVOCACY EFFORTS
Why We Advocate
We believe that systems-level action centering youth voice is a key part of making long lasting and effective change in our community. Additionally, we recognize our position of privilege related to our respective identities and association with a large, well-respected research university. Therefore, a key part of our work is using our power and privilege to advocate for issues related to youth, health, and housing, and center the voices and experiences of youth experiencing homelessness.
How We Advocate
We collectively keep tabs on the bills being reviewed in the Minnesota legislature related to youth, health and housing. Frequently, we review these bills during our weekly Lab team meetings and have conversations about ways they intersect with our work. From this monitoring and our community connections, we then move to engage in advocacy, often via submitting written testimony or oral testimony, writing letters to legislators, consultation regarding the relationship between housing and adolescent health, authoring op-eds, and supporting multi-sector consortia. We also strive to include youth in our advocacy efforts whenever possible and in ways that are both trauma informed and empower youth.
Policy Priorities
We support policies that dismantle structural oppression and address inequities for youth housing and health. We believe in centering youth voices and those with lived experiences of homelessness. We support the following priorities:
Investments in safe, supportive and inclusive shelter spaces for youth experiencing homelessness
Housing first approaches and supportive housing
Reducing the risk of entry into homelessness, e.g., housing voucher programs, emergency rental assistance
Examples of Policies and Community Initiatives We Have Supported
The Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program graphic
Participated in Homeless Day on the Hill 2023
Provided Public Comment on The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness' Housing, Racial, and Health Justice plan for people facing homelessness in Minnesota (September 2023)
Interested in a letter of support for a particular issue from the YHHL lab? Contact yhhl@umn.edu. We’d love to hear from you!