On Tuesday, September 18, the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign hosted its first Roundtable meeting. Representatives from 70 multi-sector organizations, including housing, education, healthcare, civil rights, anti-poverty, seniors, faith-based, anti-hunger, veterans, LGBTQ, and more have joined this new initiative designed to foster cross-sector engagement.

“America’s affordable housing crisis demands broad, multi-sector attention,” said Mike Koprowski, National Campaign Director of Opportunity Starts at Home. “We all have a stake in solving this problem, so it makes sense that leaders from various fields are coming together via the Roundtable to engage in new ways.”

Nan Roman, president and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, presenting at the inaugural Opportunity Roundtable.

Participants were presented with an overview of the campaign’s mission, goals, short and long-term plans, and policy agenda. Participants then broke into small groups to discuss their own expectations for the Roundtable, to provide detailed feedback to the campaign about its ongoing strategies and tactics, and to brainstorm collaborative opportunities for the future. The Roundtable will meet in Washington D.C. three times per year. It is open to organizations of varying sizes, ages, structures, and sectors, and is primarily designed for those with a national-level focus.

“Powerful new partnerships are forming as we broaden the movement for affordable homes,” said Nan Roman, President and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “The Roundtable will enable the campaign to expand its network and reach a diverse array of new stakeholders.”

Representatives from the following organizations are currently engaged in the Roundtable. Participating in Roundtable dialogue does not represent an endorsement of the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign’s policy goals. Roundtable participation only indicates an interest in cross-sector engagement. Organizations with a national-level focus that are interested in future Roundtable participation can contact Mike Koprowski at mkoprowski@nlihc.org for more information.

AARP
Alliance for Housing Solutions
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Heart Association
American Psychological Association
American Public Human Services Association
America’s Health Insurance Plans
Anthem
Association of University Centers on Disability
Autism Speaks
Autism Society of America
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
B’nai B’rith
Catholic Health Association of the United States
Center for American Progress
The Center for Law and Social Policy
Children’s Leadership Council
Coalition on Human Needs
Community of Hope
Community Solutions
Community Stabilization Project
Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
Meals on Wheels America
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of State Directors of Special Education
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
National Coalition for the Homeless
National Council of State Housing Agencies
National Fair Housing Alliance
National Health Care for the Homeless Council National Housing Conference
National Housing Law Project
National Housing Trust
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
The Corporation for Supportive Housing
Dignity Health
Enterprise Community Partners
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Family Promise
First Focus
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality
Good Shepherd Housing
Grounded Solutions
Habitat for Humanity International
Healthcare Anchor Network
Healthy Schools Campaign
Heartland Alliance
Housing on Merit
Housing Partnership Network
Human Rights Campaign
Just Homes
Justice in Aging
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Legal Action Center
Low Income Investment Fund
National Women’s Law Center
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Poverty & Race Research Action Council
Prosperity Now
Results
Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future
The Arc
True Colors Fund
Unity Health Care
Urban Institute
Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
YWCA USA
Zero Eight Three