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Joining Forces has been studying the City of Evanston's zoning code for several years. Our report is now done and is serving as the driver of our Equitable Zoning Reform Campaign in Evanston.
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 Housing Action Illinois is a long-time partner and advisor to Joining Forces, particularly relating to our state-level advocacy. In turn, Joining Forces helps Housing Action work toward achieving their mission, since one of their key goals is to mobilize partner organizations like us across the State to support their state and federal advocacy efforts. Joining Forces is particularly important to them in their work to extend their reach into the northern suburbs.
 Mark Karlin is an advocate, partnering not just with Joining Forces, but also with Open Communities and other nonprofit organizations. Aside from advocating to improve housing affordability, Mark has also advocated for gun control, anti-violence, Medicaid, and disability rights. Social justice, persuasive messaging, and mobilizing other people are Mark’s main interests and are key motivations for his involvement with Joining Forces’ committees and advocacy in general.
 Over the last month, the City of Evanston has held a series of focus groups as part of Envision Evanston 2045, its initiative to write a new Comprehensive Plan and a new zoning code for the City. One topic that participants discussed was whether the new zoning code should be changed to allow increased development of residential buildings and how such an increase could impact housing affordability.
 The League of Women Voters of Evanston (LWVE)’s mission is to empower voters and defend democracy. Not only has the League helped with starting Joining Forces, they also partner with us because they share our values and outlook about housing affordability and advocacy. The League also believes that taking collaborative action is more effective than individual advocacy efforts.
 On June 28, in its ruling on Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, the U.S. Supreme Court made the decision to allow people sleeping outside to be arrested or ticketed. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s statement on the decision is reflective of the disappointment that Connections for the Homeless and so many others have with the decision. We urge you to read it if you have not followed this issue.
 The James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy’s mission is to provide community-based legal, mental health, and restorative services for youth and families by using a holistic, healing-centered, client-driven approach. Their work strives to advance visions of a more just, racially equitable, and restorative society at the local, regional, and state levels. As Evanston’s primary legal services provider, the Moran Center relies on Connections for the Homeless and Joining Forces to provide critical housing and advocacy services for their clients, holistically addressing community members’ complex needs.
 Since community opinions can strongly influence new affordable housing efforts, Joining Forces’ YIMBY Committee is developing a campaign to educate community members and their stakeholders about the benefits of affordable housing. Our previous blog about the YIMBY Committee focused on how we can address common concerns about affordable housing (click here to read that post). This follow-up post focuses on how housing affordability benefits people and their communities.
 Across the country, houses of worship are activating and joining what is becoming known as the YIGBY Movement (Yes, in God’s Back Yard). With approximately 100 churches within its boundaries, Evanston is ripe to join this movement. Joining Forces is working with Council Member Bobby Burns and the City’s Here to Stay Committee to make it happen.
 The mission of the Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA) is to strengthen the supportive housing sector so that people have access to affordable housing and can survive and thrive in their community with services individually tailored to their needs. “Supportive Housing” refers to the combination of affordable housing with services for individuals and families who have been homeless and/or have special needs.
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