Housing assistance reporting leads to $200,000 funding shift

The Current influenced policy in Lafayette, Louisiana, with a solutions journalism article (https://thecurrentla.com/2020/louisiana-cities-are-doing-what-they-can-to-save-small-businesses-and-keep-people-in-their-homes/) showing how other jurisdictions in the state were allocating part of their CARES Act relief money to housing assistance, which Lafayette Parish refused to do. The story was republished by two other publications in the state, adding scrutiny to the parish’s initial decision and emboldening council members, local housing activists and organizations to pressure decision makers. Ultimately, the parish’s leaders agreed to redirect $200,000 (https://thecurrentla.com/2020/housing-and-unemployment-a-serious-crisis-regardless-as-lafayette-commits-all-hud-coronavirus-relief-to-small-business-grants/) of its housing funds to help vulnerable people pay for rent, mortgages and shelter assistance during the pandemic.