SDA Advocacy Agenda 2021

1)    Expand rent subsidies for seniors and people with disabilities, by expanding Senior Operating Subsidies and creating Disability Operating Subsidies.

We will partner with organizations working to support Shelter in Place hotels and use subsidies to prevent and address homelessness. We will push housing developers to include Senior Operating Subsidies in new housing and we will advocate with the Board of Supervisors to create Disability Operating Subsidies. These subsidies will improve housing options for very poor seniors and disabled people, many of whom are people of color.

Get involved by attending SDA’s Housing Collaborative, the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 1-3 pm, or by emailing freddy@sdaction.org.

2)    Win free wifi in supportive housing buildings.

We will take on utility corporations, such as AT&T and Comcast, who control internet access and have shut down city and state plans to establish free city-wide wifi. They must provide infrastructure and free wifi, and likely devices as well. The campaign will start with supportive housing buildings, which are primarily seniors and people with disabilities, including a high proportion of people of color.

Get involved by contacting raia@sdaction.org.

3) Ensure COVID vaccine goes to seniors and people with disabilities (with high-risk conditions), especially those from Latinx and African-American communities.

We will push local and state governments to create a vaccine plan that includes people of all ages who are high-risk, and to be more transparent with the public. Considering the disproportionate impact of COVID on African-American, Latinx, and indigenous communities, and the disproportionate vaccine distribution to white people, taking an anti-racist approach in this campaign is critical. This work will complement the work of partner organizations, many of whom are focused on policy, and we will organize at the grassroots level.

Get involved by contacting ligia@sdaction.org.