COVID-19 - Policies We Need Now! + Resources for Your Response

Health Equity and Economic Opportunity Resources for COVID-19 Response

Hello BARHII and Power of 9 Members,

Thank you for joining our joint General Membership Meeting last Friday and for contributing to a powerful and collaborative session around COVID-19 response. We had over 70 attendees from across the Bay Area sharing ideas and resources for a comprehensive public health and economic response.

Efforts to respond to COVID-19 are increasing rapidly in the Bay Area. In these times of crisis, it's critical to protect housing equity and economic stability for families in that response. Not only can housing insecurity disrupt a family's ability to shelter in place and practice social distancing, but it forces unhealthy trade-offs between paying for housing and investing in medical care, nutrition, and other basic needs. The lack of certainty and threat to financial stability can lead to mental health impacts including higher rates of depression and other impacts to overall health.

Below, please find several of the resources from the last week's General Meeting. We’ll be following up in the near future with additional documents as they become available, including a recording of the session.

COVID-19 Response: BARHII Policy Considerations for Health and Economic Equity - This document is designed to suggest policies that will provide immediate relief to families and small businesses amidst COVID-19 spread and will help use this moment in time to bolster our equity and resilience efforts.

BARHII COVID-19 Response Addendum: Model Ordinances and Response Efforts - This document provides sample regional and statewide response efforts to COVID-19 that may serve as models for enacting similar ordinances and strategic plans.

BARHII COVID-19 Brief and Recommendations on Public Park Access - This brief considers the equity implications of the significant decrease in recreational space based on the fact access to open space has physical and mental health benefits.

A Call to Action: BARHII Model Messaging for COVID-19, Housing Instability, and Health - This document features model language detailing how housing stability is essential to protecting the health of Bay Area residents and recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

Messaging Resources
COVID-19 BARHII Response: Messaging Resources - The goal of this document is to provide Messaging Recommendations and Support through Resources being produced by our member Local County Health Departments and Community Partners.
Public Health Alliance of Southern California: COVID-19 Local Health Department Support Guidance for Addressing Discrimination and Racism - This document from the Public Health Alliance of Southern California is a set of rapid response guidelines to be considered for implementation by health departments on addressing discrimination and racism in the current COVID-19 crisis.

Presentation Slides:
BARHII PowerPoint: COVID-19 Regional Response
Sasha Feldstein, California Immigrant Policy Center - Economic Security for All Californians During the COVID-19 Crisis
Pedro Galvao, Non-profit Housing Association of Northern – Non-profit Housing Association of Northern California’s 2020 State Housing Priorities
Julia Parish, Legal Aid at Work – Equitable Paid Family and Medical Leave

Sign-On Letters and Language to Support Family Cash Assistance Campaigns:
Dean-Bayer Cash Payments Letter
Brown-Booker Cash Payments Letter
CalEITC Coalition COVID-19 Budget Letter
Sign-On Letter to Support Immediate Measures to Help California Workers and Their Families

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Visit BARHII's website at www.barhii.org.

For more information about BARHII's work, view our Policy Platform.

In addition, check out our recent briefs on Housing Displacement and Economic Opportunity.