Real Solutions

Ep.9 – Reflections, with co-hosts Eli Moore and Richard Aviles

In this bonus episode we hear some reflections from co-hosts Eli Moore and Richard Aviles on the past episodes of Real Solutions. They help us contextualize our current political environment that makes real solutions so critical, they share highlights from past interviews, weave together narratives that connect policies for real solutions, and offer some calls to action to get organized and advocate for a future we all deserve. They also tease the possibility of a second season of Real Solutions. Tell us what you thought about this season, and what you'd like to see in season 2, should we decide to have one. Click on this link to share your thoughts (We also have raffle prizes including OBI-branded clothing and other swag for survey respondents): https://secure.everyaction.com/N8mbKu4WPUSIl8TcMxM1hg2 [https://secure.everyaction.com/N8mbKu4WPUSIl8TcMxM1hg2]

Ep.8 – Finale

This 8th and final episode of Real Solutions brings together speakers from some of the previous episodes to surface insights about cross-cutting challenges, opportunities, and strategies for advancing the policy proposals highlighted in previous episodes. We explore narratives that link together the underlying values, visions for the future, and impact on everyday lives that those policy proposals have in common. Our guests are: * Amit Khanduri, Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund * Cindy Black, Fix Democracy First * Ivan Luevanos-Elms, Local Progress * Moira Birss, Climate and Community Institute * Michelle Perin, Willamette Valley Crisis Care * Tony Samara, Right to the City Alliance

Ep.7 – Disaster Insurance & Community Resilience

The climate crisis increases the frequency and intensity of disasters that are especially destructive in neighborhoods and regions where social and ecological vulnerability is high - like neighborhoods near levies, towns next to forests or industrial plants, and coastal areas with destroyed wetlands. Many communities have planned and begun implementing projects to build the resilience of their neighborhoods and regions, reducing the risk of damage by disasters, but funding is lacking. Meanwhile, insurance corporations are drastically raising rates, denying claims, and abandoning their responsibility to cover the damages of disasters. They are not legally required, nor have a clear incentive to invest in resilience projects that would reduce the risk of damage from disasters. Insurance corporations are neither fully covering home rebuilding, nor taking effective action to reduce the risk and build resilience. A new model of disaster insurance that increases community resilience and provides effective coverage is needed. A Housing Resilience Agency would be a public option for disaster insurance that also invests in local and regional projects to build community resilience. Guests are: Moira Birss, Senior Fellow at Climate & Community Institute and the lead author of Shared Fates: A Housing Resilience Policy Vision for the Home Insurance Crisis.  Sierra Kos, co-founder and co-executive director of Extreme Weather Survivors and filmmaker, advertising creative and presidential campaign veteran.

Ep.6 – Public Campaign Finance

In this sixth episode of Real Solutions, we hear from two experts on public campaign financing. The influence of wealthy individuals and corporations over elections has distorted democracy away from the will of everyday people. Public financing of elections provides support to candidates to run for office even if they are not favored by wealthy political interests. This helps level the playing field and increase access to candidates who come from low income backgrounds and have agendas that hold powerful interests accountable. Our two guests in this episode are Alexa Avilés,who is a New York City Council Member, and Cindy Black, who is the Executive Director of Fix Democracy First.

Ep.5 – Social Housing

In this episode of Real Solutions, we discuss the issue of social housing as a response to the housing crisis. Social housing goes beyond simply building more housing units and demands those units be permanently affordable, promote social and racial equity, and include residents in decision-making that affects their homes. It’s a concept that can take many forms when it comes to implementation, and involves reimagining the government's role in, and commitment to, creating permanently affordable homes for all those who need them. The guests are Fernando Abarca and Roberto Jimenez. Fernandno is Associate Director of Capital Strategies at Right To The City Alliance. He is a Salvadoran-American housing justice organizer based in Los Angeles/Tongva Lands, CA. And Roberto is Executive Director of Seattle’s groundbreaking Social Housing program. He has more than 20 years experience planning and developing social housing, affordable housing for farm workers, and other types of housing.