In October, we had the privilege of hosting an informative retreat for the Housing Policy Ambassador Cohort in Frankfort, Kentucky. This gathering brought together five young adults passionate about housing policy and advocacy.

About the Housing Policy Ambassador Cohort

The Housing Policy Ambassador Cohort is designed for young leaders across Kentucky who are ready to share their experiences to make effective changes related to housing instability. Running from October 2024 to December 2025, this program aims to cultivate transformative housing policy changes and eviction reform, empowering young adults to advocate for their communities.

Highlights from the Retreat

The retreat kicked off with an introduction to policy advocacy, emphasizing the crucial role of data in driving meaningful change. Participants learned about the complexities of evictions and the expungement process, equipping them with the knowledge needed to address these pressing issues in their communities.

Self-care was also a key topic, as we discussed the importance of maintaining well-being while engaging in strategic storytelling. Participants learned how to channel their personal experiences into powerful advocacy tools, laying the foundation for future efforts.

A highlight of the retreat was a conversation with housing specialists from Coalition for the Homeless and the Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky, who provided valuable insights into the housing landscape in Kentucky. Additionally, we had the honor of meeting with Representative Derrick Graham, who shared his experiences as a state legislator, offering a unique perspective on the political climate and the importance of grassroots advocacy.

Voices from the Retreat

The impact of the retreat was evident in the feedback from our participants:

“Change is possible.” — Taliyah 

“Informative and powerful; all the info I learned is impactful and will help with my advocacy.” — Phoenix

“Being in community with peers across the state who are invested in making change gives me hope and motivation to keep going.” — Savvy

“I really enjoyed hearing from Representative Graham about his experience and insight on the political climate.” — Payton 

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, we are excited to see how these young leaders will harness their skills and experiences to advocate for transformative housing policies. Together, we can drive meaningful change in Kentucky’s housing landscape, ensuring that every individual has access to safe and stable housing.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Housing Policy Ambassador Cohort as we continue our journey toward advocacy and reform!