Post on 29-Jul-2020
©National Consumer Law Center 2013
Making Policy Change: Skills for Effective State & Local Advocacy
October 2017
I’m Home Conference
Odette Williamson, National Consumer Law Center
National Consumer Law Center
• Advocates on behalf of low-income consumers
• Provides training, legal analysis, case consultation and advocacy on consumer law issues
• Other training opportunities
– Webinars
– Annual conferences
– In-person trainings
How NCLC Can Help You
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• Review policy options or strategy
• Draft or customize policy options or
legislation
• Assist with comparisons to other states
• On-the-spot consultations
• Legislative testimony
• State policy snapshots– http://cfed.org/assets/pdfs/Detroit_Metro_Opportunity_Policy_Snapshot.pdf
Sample state policy snapshot -Michigan
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Michigan policy snapshot, cont’d
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Tools For Advocates: Local Advocacy Guide
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Tools for Advocates: Resident Ownership
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Other Policy Guides & Resources
• Titling Homes as Real
Property
• First Steps Toward
Resident Purchase
Opportunities
• Protecting
Fundamental
Freedoms in
Communities
AARP Shifting the Balance of Power
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NCLC’s Website
The nonprofit National Consumer Law Center® (NCLC®) helps
build family wealth for low-income and other disadvantaged people in
the U.S. by offering advocacy expertise through publications, policy
analysis, research, litigation services, and training. www.nclc.org
Making Policy Change:
Skills for Effective State
and Local Advocacy
Tim Sheahan, President
National Manufactured Home Owners Association (NMHOA)
Effecting Local Policy Change
“All Politics is Local”, or is it now Global?
Local government makes many land use decisions
Today’s Council member might be tomorrow’s State legislator or
member of Congress (especially with term limits)
Supportive City Council is critical for maximum protection under
city ordinances
Council members are generally accessible/approachable
League of Cities and Counties expand policies
Social media and the World Wide Web are expanding “global
politics”
Effecting Local Policy Change
Skill set #1
-Identifying and documenting the issue
-Determining if governed by local codes
Evaluate legal, political and legislative climate
Conditional Use Permits/Permits to Operate
“Home Rule”, Comprehensive Plan, Housing Element
Health and Safety code enforcement
Rent Stabilization Ordinances, other protections
Conversion ordinances and zoning
Moratoriums to temporarily block an action
Property tax/incentives to sell to residents
Finance Authority, municipal bonds
Effecting Local Policy Change
Skill set #2
-Describing the problem/telling your story
Finding compelling stories of vulnerability and hardship
Loss of homes
Injury, sickness
Scope of the problem
Comparing to well operated communities
Contacting the media
Publicly addressing your City Council
Effecting Local Policy Change
-Distinguishing the target audience(s)
-Tailoring the story for given audience (e.g., city
officials)
keeping dollars local
protecting those on fixed income or low income
preserving affordable housing
Unsubsidized—less burden on taxpayer
Cheaper than apartments
Environmentally responsible
Stable, safe retirement MH communities
Telling Your Story and Being Visible
Using the Media
Public Rallies
Victory #1--Petitions qualify ballot referendum!
Victory #2--Success at the ballot box!
Effecting Local Policy Change
Skill set #3
-Identifying and Influencing key officials
Elected officials are the boss of staff
Inexperienced elected officials rely heavily on staff
Educating candidates/candidate primers and forums
Working on campaigns of supporters
PAC endorsements, contributions
Serve on local commissions “inside City Hall”
Praise/criticize officials in the media when warranted
Effecting Local Policy Change
Skill set #4
-Building political clout/educating the general public/ expanding your sphere of influence Organizing your constituency
Civic involvement and exposure
Solidarity through networking with those who support you and influence others
Mobilizing the masses through MH coalitions
Visibility—City Hall, street rallies, letters to the editor, social media
Educating the ignorant and prejudiced
Dispelling negative stigmas and stereotypes
Effecting Local Policy Change
The Situation
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+
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- -
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Expanding Your Sphere
Challenges we face
Diluted voting clout/no new MH parks while population rises
Wealthy park owners and trade groups
Real estate speculators/developers
Fear/apathy of homeowners
Trend from “Mom and Pop” to corporate conglomerate operators
“Trailer Park” stigmas and stereotypes
Expanding Your Sphere
Our Strengths Power at the ballot box if we vote as a bloc to support those who
support us (PACs)
Government motivation to preserve affordable housing
Seniors often have time to volunteer
Opportunities to gain knowledge and political sophistication (through
GSMOL and other groups)
Opportunities to expand our sphere of influence and voting power by
networking/partnering with others
Expanding Your Sphere
Identifying Partners
Outreach and Exposure
Indentify common interests and concerns
Civic engagement
Political and community involvement
Voter registration drives
Voter education—A two-way street
Candidate forums/endorsements
Networking-Partnering with Civic Groups and Advocacy Organizations
•You don’t have to share everything in common!
Your sphere of influence can be made up of diverse groupswith openminds
Expanding Your Sphere
Examples of Possible Allies
Affordable housing advocates
Senior advocates
Apartment/resident groups
Anti-development land preservation groups
Environmental groups
MH dealers/manufacturers/lenders
Local businesses/Chamber of Commerce
Government watchdog groups
City Attorneys/City Councils
Police, Fire and other Union PACs
Effecting Local Policy Change
“Rallying the troops”
Inspiring the masses/strength in numbers
“Squeaky wheel that gets no grease gets hotter and louder”
Don’t be a “home-moaner”/don’t complain about everything
Attorney support to evaluate opportunities
Voter initiatives if necessary
Timing and luck
Expanding Your Sphere
Nurturing Partnerships
Communication (internal and external)
Express appreciation when warranted
Mutual support (like any good partnership)
Positive reinforcement/building rapport
Effecting Local Policy Change
Skill set #4
-Identifying the Opposition
Evaluating their strengths and weaknesses
“Following the Money”/PAC reports--contributions
Do you have responses to their arguments?
Following the politics
Effecting Local Policy Change
The Opposition
MHET (Manufactured Housing Educational Trust)
Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association
(WMA)
California Mobilehome Parkowners Alliance (CMPA)
Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI)
Californian Association of Realtors (CAR)
Building Industry Association (BIA)
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA)
Effecting Local Policy Change
The Opposition
Following the Money
Opponent Tactics
Response to Opponent Tactics
Documenting Poor Representation
Pushback/accountability/consequences
Effecting Local Policy Change
Conclusion
While “money talks,” enough people voting and working together
can sway elections and influence public policy
I’M HOME Conference - October 2017
• Montana political climate
• Personal property rights
• OTP not feasible
• Park-owner benefit