With rental and home ownership costs soaring, Syracuse faces an epidemic of homelessness, evictions, and housing insecurity. Families in particular have become unhoused at record rates, putting pressure on local government to find sustainable policy solutions. Central Current has gathered a group of leaders in the housing space to explore the possible paths forward for our community during an interactive panel discussion at ArtRage Gallery.
The event will be held on Monday, March 3rd from 5 to 7 pm at the ArtRage Gallery (505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse). Admission is free, and drinks and appetizers will be served.
Please take a moment to reserve your seat today.
This event coincides with the display of “A Place To Call Home“, a collaborative exhibit between Central Current and ArtRage. Photojournalists Michelle Gabel and Michael Greenlar have spent the past year capturing the realities of how the housing crisis is impacting the lives of Central New York residents.
Too often, housing is described purely in terms of inflation rates, rental costs, and homelessness counts. Greenlar and Gabel’s photographs and vignettes lead you beyond the data and into the deeply human experience of people trying to find shelter and hold onto it.
What to expect:
Central Current’s Managing Editor Chris Libonati will moderate a discussion with panelists from the Housing and Homelessness Coalition of CNY, CNY Fair Housing, and the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY.
The evening will begin with a brief reception, followed by the panel discussion. Attendees will have ample opportunities to ask questions and interact with Central Current staff and speakers.
Megan Stuart – Housing and Homelessness Coalition of CNY
Megan Stuart is the Director of the Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York, which acts as HUD’s Continuum of Care for homelessness for Onondaga, Cayuga, and Oswego Counties. The coalition’s mission is to assess community needs and foster collaboration in an effort to prevent, reduce, and ultimately end homelessness.
She has been serving as Director since June of 2018 and has worked in housing and homelessness for over fifteen years overseeing federal, state, and locally funded projects. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Sociology and Political Science from William Smith College and an Executive Master’s in Public Administration from Syracuse University. She holds positions on the local Emergency Food and Shelter Program board and the CNY Regional Healthcare Equity Taskforce.
Alex Lawson (CNY Fair Housing)
Alex is the Housing Policy Manager at CNY Fair Housing, a private non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, promoting open communities, and ensuring equal access to housing opportunities for all people in Central and Northern New York. He leads the agency’s fair housing policy efforts through research, education, and advocacy on topics including exclusionary zoning, public transportation, and the legacy of historic discriminatory policies. Alex lives in Syracuse.
Sylvia Espinosa, Esq. (Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY)
Ana Sylvia Espinosa de los Monteros Gutiérrez (she/her) is an Eviction Defense Staff Attorney at the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Inc. Sylvia is licensed to practice law in both Mexico and New York. She is building a strong career in eviction defense by advocating for low-income tenants, managing eviction cases, and ensuring housing security through litigation, client advocacy, and legal education. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she is deeply committed to protecting tenants’ rights and expanding access to justice.
What are Current Conversations?
When we started Central Current in 2022, we made it part of our mission to engage with our local community. We’ve always focused our reporting on what matters most to Central New Yorkers. As we continue to grow our staff and our coverage, we’re also working to create new ways for our readers to connect with our team. We want to better understand which topics interest you and what information you need to know, so we can publish more meaningful stories.
To that end, Current Conversations brings you face-to-face with the people and issues shaping our city and region. These ongoing events are an opportunity to:
- Hear from local guest speakers
- Connect with other readers
- Engage with our journalists
- Learn about our reporting process
Current Conversations are supported through a grant from the UpMobility Foundation.
Can’t make it? We’ll publish a fact sheet along with pre- and post-event coverage. To stay informed (1) Sign up for our newsletter and (2) Follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn as Central Current.
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