Alan Jenkins
Alan Jenkins is the executive director and co-founder of The Opportunity Agenda.
10 Ways to Speak Truth to Powerful Lies
How to engage, inform, and fight back against falsehoods.
In an era of fake news, alternative facts, and downright lies, it’s a daily struggle to...
Fair Housing’s Giant Two Steps Forward
It’s a rare moment when two branches of our federal government take major steps to expand opportunity for all...
Supreme Court Argument Reaffirms the Case for Disparate Impact
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a very important fair housing case, and the Justices’ comments from the bench have had court watchers buzzing ever since. Here’s my take on what the legal back-and-forth in the case does and does not mean. It’s safe to say that the oral argument in […]
There’s Really No Argument Against Disparate Impact
When a housing policy has the effect of perpetuating racial exclusion, and that policy is unnecessary or unjustified, it must be set aside or changed under the Fair Housing Act, whether or not the politicians who passed it were intentionally focused on racial discrimination. But now, that important principle is at risk.
Our Window of Opportunity Is Open–Let’s Tackle Poverty Now
Every few generations, the stars align to create the potential for monumental, transformative social change. Turns out we’re in just such a moment right now when it comes to tackling poverty in the United States. I don’t blame you for being skeptical. Economic inequality is growing, big corporations are consolidating their political power, and our […]
Julian Castro Must Uphold Fair Housing
Last week, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly confirmed San Antonio Mayor Juliàn Castro to lead the Department of Housing and...
There Should Be Even More Outrage Over Donald Sterling
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling doubled down on bigotry this week, disparaging NBA icon Magic Johnson for his...
More Progress, and Peril, on the Home Opportunity Front
Earlier this month, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs released a discussion draft of legislation to...
The Fight for Fair Use of Sandy Recovery Funds Surges On
To say that January was a bad month for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would be something of an...
A Year of Progress….Let’s Not Screw it Up!
There was major action on the home opportunity front this past year, the result of persistent activism by advocates,...
Conservative Defeat Exposed in 10 “Shutdown” Headlines
Conservative icon Grover Norquist famously voiced the right wing’s hopes and dreams for our federal government: “I’m not in...
Why Conservatives Can’t Afford a Real Government Shutdown
It’s conventional wisdom that voters will mostly blame House Republicans if the federal government shuts down over their effort...
What Determines Opportunity? (Hint: It’s Not One’s Bootstraps)
It’s the rare occasion when a significant social challenge is raised up in rigorous economic research and almost instantly answered...
Demand Congress Act to Advance Home Opportunity
We're in tough times, but there’s some good news on the housing front. In slow but meaningful steps around...
Rep. Watt Can Save the American Dream
Change is coming to the most important government agency, one that most Americans have never heard of. For many months,...
The Fair Housing Act at 45: A Time for Celebration and Action
April is fair housing month and, this year, it’s also the 45th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing...
Progress and Peril for Home Opportunity
David Sassaroli contributed reporting for this article
Home Opportunity is at a crossroads, and with it the...
Advancing Home Opportunity on Capitol Hill
On January 22 I spoke at a Capitol Hill briefing entitled “A Compact for Home Opportunity: What America Can Do...
Watch Your Mouth! Ten Phrases that Progressives Should Retire in 2013
Along with the usual New Year’s resolutions about exercising, getting more sleep, and being more patient with the kids, progressives...
DeMarco Must Go
It’s time for President Obama to fire and quickly replace the Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA),...