COVID-19 Response & Just Recovery
In early March 2020, as COVID-19 spread across the globe, Local Progress launched a call to action for elected officials in the network to advance paid sick leave, stop evictions and utility shut-offs, and center equity in their responses. We created a clearinghouse to facilitate idea sharing for ways that localities stepped up in response across a range of issues. (Note: we’ve retired our clearinghouse of local actions but you can find the archive here). Additionally, we assembled resources from partners and drafted a set of memos to help local leaders navigate policy options and crisis mitigation.
As our pandemic responses shifted from a rapid response to long-term public health and economic solutions, we have reorganized all of the information here to make it more usable for your needs.
We will continue to build new resources and materials for a just recovery that will focus on housing justice, invest & divest, reopening schools, and much more.
Policy and Organizing for a Just Recovery
This section includes resources around organizing and building for a just and equitable recovery. You’ll find resources that cover housing justice and the ongoing need to cancel rent and prevent evictions, guidance for moving resources from law enforcement to underfunded communities, and building vote by mail infrastructure upcoming national election.
Housing Justice Policy Menu
National COVID-19 Messaging Guide
Centering Equity in a COVID Response
Our Initial Call to Action: As all of our communities across the country dealt with the spread of coronavirus, people looked to local governments for an efficient and bold response that protects the safety of all residents as well as the public health. This page highlights our initial call to action to advance paid leave, pass moratoriums on evictions and utility shut-offs to protect the most vulnerable. These steps remain critically important as the virus devastates our economy and peoples’ livelihoods.
Resolutions and Ordinances
Resources for Localities: This section highlights recent resolutions and ordinances from across the country, in addition to templates that you can adjust for your locality. Topics include paid sick and emergency leave, protecting workers’ health and safety, eviction moratoriums and rent cancellation and mortgage moratoriums.
[Model Bill]: Paid Sick and Safe Leave plus Emergency Leave
[Model Bill]: Emergency Paid Sick Leave
[Model Policy]: Protecting Worker Safety & Health
[Resolution]: Philadelphia effort for Housing Moratoriums
[Resolution]: SF rent cancellation and mortgage moratorium
Policy Overviews
This set of memos, done in collaboration with Center for Popular Democracy, outlines best practices and examples on a range of topics including protecting essential workers, supporting small businesses and preparing for the 2020 general election.
Preparing for a National Election During Covid-19
[Policy Overview]: Emergency Paid Sick Time Bill
Support for Small Business During COVID-19
A Guide to Investigating Local Emergency Powers
COVID-19 and Abortion Advocacy: Strategies to Consider
Accessible and Transparent Government During Social Distancing
Caring for those who are Houseless during COVID-19
Preventing further privatization of education during COVID-19
Supporting Immigrants During COVID-19
Protecting Essential Workers
School budgeting process in the era of COVID-19
Ensuring safe, adequate and equitable meal distribution during school closures
State and Local COVID-19 Response Funds Providing Cash to Residents
Protecting Renters and Homeowners from Eviction, Utility Shutoffs, and Foreclosure
Local Decarceral Policy Demands and Examples in the COVID-19 Era
State and Local Advocacy for an Immigrant-Inclusive Response to the COVID-19 Crisis
Ensuring Accessible Childcare for Essential Workers during COVID-19
State-Specific Resources
Our state chapters have compiled resources that address state-specific issues and provide model legislation:
For a comprehensive look at state interventions for legislators, please visit the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) resource page.