HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc - Hare Price (HRC-modify DEI grants to remove barries) 9/6/2023
From:Christian, Kevin
Sent:Wednesday, September 6, 2023 1:04 PM
To:dona Hare Price
Cc:Veloz-Passalacqua, Nestor; Hermann, Greg
Subject:cc Hare Price (HRC DEI Grant)
Dona Hare Price,
Thank you for taking the time to contact the City Council and the Human Relations Commission with
your suggestion. The City Council has received your request directly and the HRC are included by cc
on this note. Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager, who is responsible for responding to your issue, is
copied on this email. Greg or a member of his staff will be following up with you within two business
days.
City Administration
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218
slocity.org
Bcc: City Council
From: dona Hare Price <
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 8:11 AM
To: Veloz-Passalacqua, Nestor <NVeloz@slocity.org>; Advisory Bodies <advisorybodies@slocity.org>; E-mail Council
Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: HRC DEI Grant
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
Dear Mr. Velos-Passalacqua,, HRC Commissioners, Mayor Stewart, and City Council:
I’m sharing parts of a DEI proposal that you will not see among your DEI Grant applications. We had hoped
these ideas would serve as the basis for a DEI grant, but we were unable to submit an application that would
meet the City’s requirements due to some structural impediments. Through our work, however, we identified
a solution that merits further exploration and consideration.
The San Luis Obispo Rent Coalition is a group of working people who care about our community and are
seeking urgent action to address the demand for safe, secure, and affordable housing. We are working people
from Cal Poly, other government agencies, and the private sector, researchers, policy advocates, and
1
community organizers, students, faculty, and staff. Housing equity is a long-standing racial equity issue, and
the City has sought creative, people-centered solutions. Because we are a relatively new group we do not have
501(c)(3) status, and are still forging relationships with local non-profits. Within the quick DEI grant timeline,
it was impossible to secure a fiscal sponsor with the necessary infrastructure to support our project. We
secured a MOU with Tenants Together, a statewide non-profit with a long-standing reputation with local and
state officials, but because they have not operated within the City of SLO previously they do not qualify for the
DEI grant funding.
I wonder if a future goal might be removing such barriers to access within the DEI Grant process so that
innovative solutions created by the people most impacted can be supported. Tracking DEI grant recipients
over time, it seems as if the same entities receive funding over and over again, leaving little room for fledgling,
grassroots organizations to access financial or administrative support. Maybe creating a DEI incubator
program that brings novel ideas based on community needs fueled by volunteers and activists instead of long-
standing institutions might be an interesting and positive use of DEI funds.
We are hoping to highlight the need for our program to provide education, services, and advocacy for tenants.
We welcome your advice, support, and direction so we can help meet the needs of the 60% of our SLO
households who would benefit.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dona Hare Price
DEI Statement
SLO Tenant Center’s Mission: Strengthening renters, fostering equality for all.
2