Advocacy is making change. In order to make change, advocates need to have a clear and specific question in mind. The question addresses what the advocate wants to change. An example of a specific question might be “Mr. President, will you support an increase of poverty-focused development assistance by $5 billion in FY 2009?” The following are some tools you can use to implement your specific question.
Letter-writing campaigns and petitions are great ways to involve your whole community. The Act! Speak! Build! Week 2009 letter-writing campaign and petition asks President Obama to make affordable housing a priority. Use letters and petitions to help build excitement and spread the word in your community and to make sure your voice is heard. Please send all completed letters and petitions to Tamara Foglio Habitat for Humanity International 121 Habitat Street Americus, Georgia 31709 Looking for a tool to explain these important advocacy issues simply? Use the Secure Tenure 101 and Housing Trust Funds 101 handouts. If you have specific questions or special needs in relation to a letter campaign or petition, please contact Tamara Foglio at 229-410-7540 or tfoglio@habitat.org.
HFHI’s department of Government Relations and Advocacy monitors legislation, programs and regulations related to housing, community development and international development, which all impact the provision of affordable housing. The Web site is filled with information about domestic and international legislation and public policy efforts that impact the availability of affordable housing. To join thousands of other advocates and to send an electronic message to legislation, see Government Relations and Advocacy.
Advocacy happens when anyone speaks out for what they believe in. Children of all ages can become advocates for an end to substandard housing. The Paper House campaign lets youth as young as five years old communicate their concerns to their local lawmakers.
Panels are a great way to invite elected officials to your community. After the panel is over, have postcards or letters ready for the audience to sign before they leave. For more information on organizing a panel discussion, see Advocacy: Panel Discussions.
The ONE Campaign raises public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in developing countries. To add your signature to the effort, see The ONE Declaration.
