2024 Iniatives - Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project

Developed a renter-centered Housing Condition survey to gather data about the housing conditions renters face; what
renters are doing to address poor housing conditions; and what their outcomes are.
Selected by University of Memphis as community partner for year-long research project with PhD students to collect
data about the relationship between housing conditions and eviction.
Partnered with Blue Bonnet to conduct housing research for a first-of-its-kind voter guide for the mayoral election
Currently partnering with two independent researchers to collect and analyze data about renter complaints against top
evictors in Shelby County
Currently partnering with the Rhodes College Research2Action team to analyze and publish report on Shelby County
court data
Developed and convened partners for multi-year, multi-sector project focused on equitable, renter-centered process
to developing data infrastructure and collect data about the intersection of housing and health

Created a storytelling hotline.
Created a StoryBooth program
Signed up more than a dozen renters to tell their stories
Shared stories of real people who have experienced homelessness and housing insecurity via social media to amplify
discussions and validate messaging research using videos developed by the Housing Narrative Lab
Partnering with Housing Narrative Lab for strategic guidance to identify potential narrative shifts and feedback on
project collateral and materials to ensure content and messaging align with narrative goals and incorporate tested
messaging into the final content to ensure effectiveness.
Co-hosted a storytelling training with national storytelling organization Housing Narrative Lab
Working with filmmaker in Washington, D.C. to document our housing crisis through the stories of renters and
renter advocates

Brought EVICTED – a national exhibition about housing insecurity – to Memphis
Established a Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project newsletter
Will soon publish a voter guide for mayoral candidates that targets, among other topics, information about candidates’
position on housing

Held Housing Condition Survey training for community advocates
Convened first meeting with renters to discuss citywide Renters’ Council
Created Facebook page to educate about our housing crisis, solutions, and actions, and regularly post
Developed toolkit for and scheduled time to canvas at local apartment complex

Published Op-Ed, “Establishing a Housing Justice Framework in Memphis”
Convened Op-Ed Signatories for first gathering
Held One-on-Ones with organizations who signed on to the Op-Ed
Currently developing workshop to convene possible coalition partners with goal of creating an MOU

Statewide Coalition Building

Participated in multiple planning calls with organizers and advocates across the state over the past twelve months to strategize about who, what, and how
Participated in one texting campaign
Participate in first statewide coalition call
Working with one coalition member on commenting campaign

Convened community leaders from multiple sectors to present preliminary court watch data and discuss next steps.
Co-presented housing data to Shelby County Commission
Identified problematic courthouse procedure, spoke with court clerks to identify a viable solution and sent letter to
Court administrator to propose the new procedure
Worked with City and County employees, County Commission, and Judge to develop pilot program to address
problems with courtroom practices around landlord/tenant law
Regularly respond to reporters’ questions, on and off the record, about housing policies and practices
Proposed a legal services program that is renter-centered and focused on systemic change to the County agency
overseeing the creation of a Tenant Resource Center
Designed and launched federal commenting campaign in response to the recent RFI on Tenant Protections that was promulgated by the FHFA