Send page to a Friend Action Opportunities Affordable Housing Affordable Housing General Education Resources Jewish Educational Resources Action Opportunities Working to promote affordable housing is a powerful way to decrease the gap between the rich and poor in our society and to eliminate the circumstances that perpetuate family homelessness. The following includes a list of advocacy organizations that lobby the government to address this issue. For more information about the following opportunities, contact JCRC at tzedekresources@jcrcboston.org or 617-457-8600. Advocacy Campaigns An important component of taking action to provide affordable housing is legislative advocacy. Methods of advocating include informing fellow congregants about issues of concern, organizing a synagogue program for local legislators, and contacting state senators and representatives. The following are the leading affordable housing advocacy organizations that are fighting for their agendas to be addressed by the Massachusetts Legislature. Contact them directly to see how you can get involved. Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) serves as an umbrella organization for all the parties involved with affordable housing and community development throughout Massachusetts. Its site focuses on information about legislation and advocacy efforts. The Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) website can be found at http://www.chapa.org Faith Into Action Together (F.I.A.T.) provides an extensive description of how to lobby from a faith perspective, as well as information about the legislative process in Massachusetts. The Faith Into Action Together (F.I.A.T.) website can be found at http://www.mahomeless.org/programs/fiat.html. JCRC has a guide on How to Advocate for Government Programs and Legislation. For a more extensive description of how to lobby specifically from a faith perspective, and for information about the Massachusetts legislative process, see the advocacy guide produced by Faith Into Action Together (F.I.A.T.), a program of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. For a copy of the advocacy guide or to discuss becoming a part of JCRC’s synagogue legislative advocacy network, contact JCRC at 617-457-8600.  To stay updated on current affairs, sign up for the JCRC Government Affairs’ regular e-mail update, the Jewish Community’s State House Action Alert. Send an e-mail to governmentaffairs@jcrcboston.org with the title “Sign up-State House Action Alert” and include your name and contact information in the body. The Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance is an example of a non-profit that aims to increase public and private sector investment in affordable housing. In addition to advocacy, their activities include organizing grassroots campaigns and conducting research. The Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance website can be found at http://www.mahahome.org. One Family, Inc.'s Advocacy Agenda focuses on increasing the amount of housing available for families earning 30% or less of the median income. The One Family Inc. website can be found at http://www.onefamilyinc.org. Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) seeks to train and organize the communities of Greater Boston across all religious, racial, ethnic, class and neighborhood lines for the public good. Member organizations are drawn from geographic, ethnic, and faith communities, and currently advocate on Affordable Housing, Immigrant Rights, and the quality of nursing home facilities for inhabitants and employees. For information about involvement in GBIO, please contact the JCRC at 617-457-8600.