Opportunity Starts at Home

Safe, stable, and affordable housing is foundational to children’s well-being and long-term success. Decades of research show that when families can access quality homes in well-resourced neighborhoods, children experience better health outcomes, stronger educational attainment, and improved economic mobility over the course of their lives. Yet for millions of families across the United States, and disproportionately families of color, safe and stable housing remains out of reach. Guests Dr. Megan Sandel and Charlotte Bruce discuss the history of Children’s HealthWatch and the OSAH campaign’s partnership, why affordable housing matters to healthcare providers, and two new issue briefs, “Stable Homes, Healthy Children” and “A Foundation for Every Child,” that highlight the health impacts of housing instability and eviction on children and families, current threats to federal housing programs, and policy opportunities to ensure every child has a stable foundation from which to grow and thrive.

Read the briefs here: https://childrenshealthwatch.org/housing-is-a-foundation-for-child-health-evidence-policy-and-whats-at-stake/

Guests Christine Kim (My Dog is My Home), Shari Myers (The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies), and Meghan Mertyris (NLIHC's Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition) discuss the current federal landscape for pet-inclusive disaster housing response and recovery. While short-term protections exist, long-term protections and resources for disaster survivors with pets are limited. Expertise from both housing advocates and animal welfare advocates is critical to effectively expand the resources and protections available to survivors and their pets.

Join a Disaster Housing and Recovery Coalition (DHRC) Working Group: https://nlihc.org/disaster-housing-recovery-research-resilience

Learn more about the My Dog is My Home Co-Sheltering Collaborative: https://www.co-shelteringcollaborative.org/

Learn more about the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies: https://disasterstrategies.org/

Read the 2026 report on California's Pet Assistance and Support (PAS) program: https://hpri.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PAS-final-edits__HPRI-1_20.pdf

This episode is an audio recording of an Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH) Campaign Roundtable event held in Washington, D.C. on December 2, 2025. The event brought together campaign partners to reflect on campaign achievements, mobilize around priority bills, and discuss new strategies to further multi-sector collaboration for housing affordability. The episode features Renee M. Willis, NLIHC President and CEO, Chantelle Wilkinson, NLIHC Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Campaigns, May Louis-Juste, NLIHC Project Manager of Strategic Partnerships, Julie Walker, OSAH Campaign Project Manager, David Gonzalez Rice, NLIHC Senior Vice President of Public Policy, and Meghan Mertyris, NLIHC Disaster Recovery Policy Analyst.

Learn more about the OSAH Roundtable here: https://www.opportunityhome.org/organizations-2/opportunity-roundtable/

Our guest, Professor Victoria Kiechel, discusses the impact of housing on heat morbidity and climate change resilience. We explore the ways building design and historical inequities drive disparities in heat risk across the country, and discuss solutions for climate resilience.

Guest Dr. Heather Peske discusses the recent report from the National Council on Teacher Quality, “Priced Out: The Growing Challenge of Teacher Pay and Housing Costs”. We dive into the report’s findings, the impact of unaffordable housing on teachers and ultimately students, and potential solutions, including examples of what some districts are trying.

Read the report here: https://www.nctq.org/research-insights/priced-out-the-growing-challenge-of-teacher-pay-and-housing-costs/

Guests Eddy Conroy and Nick Graetz discuss their recent issue brief, “Ousted from Opportunity: Eviction’s Adverse Impact on Parenting College Students,” which examines the unique challenges faced by students caring for children while enrolled in college, and the results of their analysis revealing the consequences that the threat of eviction has, impacting not only the likelihood of completing a degree but even life expectancy. Policy reforms and investments in education and housing are needed to address this issue, and housing and education advocates and institutions must partner together to achieve lasting change.

Read the brief here: https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/briefs/what-happens-student-parents-threatened-with-eviction/

In this episode, we examine the role of architects in public housing and their impact on driving positive social change. Learn how architectural innovation in public housing can address social challenges, foster community engagement, and create environments that support social equity and climate justice.

Guests:

Roberta Feldman, Ph.D, Professor University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Architecture, emerita.

https://aiachicago.org/people/roberta-m-feldman/

Nathan Rich, Principal, Peterson Rich Office

https://www.petersonrichoffice.com/

In this episode we delve into the crucial role architects play in preservation of housing affordability with an exploration of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH). This episode shares insight on how architects can act as scope and grant writers, helping to secure funding and develop plans for the preservation and improvement of affordable housing. Hear from professionals who have successfully navigated these challenges and learn about strategies to maintain and enhance existing affordable housing stock.

Guests:

Emily Roush-Elliott, Emily Roush-Elliott, Founding Partner and Social Impact Architect at Delta Design Build Workshop (Delta DB)

Learn more about Delta Design Build Workshop here: https://www.deltadb.org/

Christian Solorio, Studio Lead at Architectural Resource Team

Learn more about Architectural Resource Team here: https://art-team.com/

Our guest architects explore the intricate connections between design, health, and the environment. Architects will discuss how holistic design approaches can create healthier living environments that also benefit the whole community. From improving indoor air quality to integrating green spaces and promoting sustainable living practices, discover how innovative design can enhance both human well-being and environmental health.

Guests:

Katherine Williams, Assistant Director of Capital Projects at Georgetown University

https://www.katherinerw.com/

lIlya Azaroff, Professor in practice at New York City College of Technology (CUNY) and Founding Principal of +LAB architect PLLC

https://illyaazaroff.com/

In this episode, we explore culturally mindful housing that prioritizes residents' needs and aspirations. Our guests discuss housing projects and community design processes that have successfully integrated these principles, demonstrating that when housing is designed with people in mind, it becomes a powerful catalyst for social change.

Guests:

Alex Patricio Salazar, Founding Principal of Salazar Architect in Portland Oregon

Learn more about Salazar Architect here: https://www.salazarch.com/

Joseph Kunkel, Director of MASS Design Group’s Sustainable Native Communities Design Lab in Sante Fe, New Mexico.

Learn more about MASS Design Group here: https://massdesigngroup.org/