If you support affordable housing and community development, Enterprise needs YOU to be an advocate for housing and community development issues at the federal, state and local level. This page serves as a resource guide to assist you in your efforts.
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy can be summed up with one word - influence. Advocacy is the effort to influence an outcome, such as a decision, the allocation of resources or the passage of legislation. There are a several forms of advocacy and various types of advocacy activities. Advocacy activities include:
- promoting an issue among your social networks
- calling or writing to your members of Congress
- writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
- attending a town hall meeting hosted by your representatives
- meeting with your member of Congress or their staff on an important issue
Why Advocacy?
Many of Enterprise’s partners use federal funds and know how critical they are to their organizations’ success in serving low-income people. Obtaining financial resources and promoting sound housing policy are two major reasons why you should engage in advocacy, but there are many more. Former House Speaker Tip O’Neill observed that “all politics is local.” In turn, policymakers rely on their constituents, as advocates, to inform their decisions.
Helpful Resources
How Do I Engage in Advocacy?
Anyone can be an advocate or engage in advocacy as long as they have the right tools. The following are some helpful tools to assist you in becoming an effective advocate.
Phone Calls or Emails
Messaging
Congressional Visits
Events
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