Make Room: A Conversation w/ Ali Solis and Lola Lovenotes

September is National Month for Renters and this week on The Empowerment Hour we are raising awareness and placing a spotlight on a very real problem affecting a large number of Americans. Imagine working, sometimes more than one job, and you still can’t afford to pay rent every month. This is the reality for 25 million Americans impacted by the housing-affordability crisis. 11.4 million households pay more than half of their income on rent making it difficult for many to pay for other basic needs like groceries and health care. In this episode, Nancy chats with Ali Solis, CEO and President of Make Room, a national advocacy non-profit based in Washington, D.C. Ali talks about the work she and her team at Make Room do  to elevate affordable housing on the national agenda. She shares insight on why she's passionate about this work and what we can do individually and collectively to bring awareness to the affordable housing crisis in this country.

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Also in this episode, Nancy chats with Lola Lovenotes, a local NYC artist about being 1 of 11 artists chosen to participate in Make Room's art exhibit called "The Doors of Make Room". Make Room commissioned 11 artists from across the country to present a one-of-a-kind fiberglass public art project. The 11 fiberglass doors will be showcased in 11 different public and private spaces and high tourist/traffic locations in Washington, D.C. September 13-28. Lola talks with Nancy on what inspired her art for this project, how she's personally been affected by the housing crisis, and the message she hopes to convey through her art.

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To learn more about Make Room visit https://www.makeroomusa.org/

To connect with Lola find her on Instagram/Facebook @lolalovenotesnyc.