Strong public policies have always been critical to promoting affordable housing, economic development, health and jobs. But the urgency surrounding these issues today is unprecedented. LISC SVP for Policy Matt Josephs zeroes in on the goals of LISC’s federal policy agenda for the coming congressional term in a blog highlighting proposals that tackle gaps in health, wealth and opportunity affecting millions of families and their communities.
Community development is, at its core, about building a broadly shared prosperity throughout the country, one that offers everyone—no matter their race, class or zip code—the opportunity to succeed.
It takes a great deal of creativity, as well as on-the-ground community expertise, to move toward that goal. But it also requires a strong infrastructure of federal policies to help catalyze various levels of public, private and nonprofit support, all of which are needed to drive lasting progress.
This week, LISC released its federal policy agenda for the coming congressional term, reflecting our 40 years of experience investing in urban and rural communities. We are advocating for programs that unlock private capital to take on social and economic challenges, and that also support families in their efforts to build a strong and healthy future.
This is not a one-size-fits all approach, which is why the proposals impact over 75 programs managed by 17 different federal agencies. But they are all closely connected to each other.
Taken together, they recognize that while government cannot solve every problem, it is nonetheless vital to strategies focused on affordable housing, small businesses, schools, health, safety and jobs. Put more simply, federal programs underpin local growth and support opportunities for families living on the margins.
In many ways, our proposals are less controversial than election-year rhetoric might indicate. From making it easier to seed entrepreneurs to better supporting homeownership, there is already bipartisan support for many key pieces of our agenda—a foundation that we hope to build on in the months to come.
We are also optimistic about the increased recognition, both in Washington and beyond, of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) like LISC and the ways that we contribute nation’s social and economic well-being. CDFIs have been working to narrow gaps in health and wealth for decades, especially in communities scarred by discrimination, disinvestment and job loss. It just stands to reason that we are better able to reach places the private market cannot effectively serve on its own.
That impact has been clear throughout the COVID-19 crisis, as government, businesses and philanthropy have all turned to CDFIs to help distribute relief funds and plan for recovery. Over the years, that experience is also why so many financial institutions and impact investors have partnered with CDFIs to meet their social investing goals, as well as to support their business growth.
Together, we can help all Americans—regardless of race, class, or zip code—have the best possible chance to thrive.
Certainly, we will be called on to do much more in the months to come. Though many of the challenges addressed by LISC’s Policy Priorities have been with us for years, the level of urgency is unprecedented. The pandemic has left millions of people unemployed, underemployed and struggling to make ends meet. In many cases, their health is at risk as well as their livelihoods. That is especially true for communities of color, women and low-wage workers, all of which have experienced a disproportionate impact.
The federal policies and programs we are uplifting here will help respond to those deepening gaps, whether that means emergency housing relief for hard-hit renters and homeowners, expanded broadband in underserved rural areas or capacity-building for local nonprofits to help meet the needs of their communities.
As we have been throughout the crisis, the LISC Policy Team will be meeting with officials on Capitol Hill and in the White House, advocating for these and other programs that are critical for economic growth and opportunity. We hope you will join us in this work, to help us ensure that investments from the federal government are properly aligned to meet the health, wealth and opportunity gaps facing so many families and communities.
Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President, LISC Policy
Matt manages the team that is responsible for developing LISC’s federal policy agenda; communicating this agenda to LISC employees, board members, funders and other stakeholders; and pursuing this agenda through engagement with members of Congress and other federal officials.
@LISC_policy