The Lafayette-Oxford-University People’s Summit is hosting the first People’s Summit on Housing, an event aimed at addressing the growing housing crisis in the Lafayette-Oxford-University community.

The event will take place from. 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at St. Peter’s Church, located at 113 S. 9th Street, with a lunchtime film screening at the Burns-Belfry Museum and Multicultural Center at 710 Jackson Avenue East.

LOUPS is a coalition of individuals and organizations from across the L-O-U community, formed to help raise up the voices of everyday people in our community and imagine a healthier, happier, and more vibrant community that puts its people – rather than profits – first.

Summit organizers aim to address the ongoing housing crisis in Lafayette County and provide a platform for community members to engage in meaningful discussions about equitable, sustainable and affordable housing.

With rising rents and limited housing options, many local residents are struggling to find safe and affordable places to live. This summit is an opportunity to brainstorm solutions and work together to make lasting change.

JT Thomas, an organizer and associate professor in the UM Department of Sociology and Anthropology, said the People’s Summit on Housing is aimed at elevating the voices of working-class and everyday people in the LOU community.

“Many of whom are finding it increasingly harder to secure safe, affordable, quality housing,” he said. “The summit is an opportunity for all of us to come together and imagine a better, more equitable, and more sustainable housing landscape for all.”

The summit will offer a full day of activities, including large and small group discussions, hands-on workshops, panel presentations, and a film screening. The event is designed to encourage active participation, with ample opportunity for attendees to share personal experiences and ideas related to housing in the LOU area. Volunteers will be on hand throughout the day to listen to attendees’ stories and document the collective efforts.

In addition to the engaging discussions, the summit will conclude with the creation of a “People’s Bill of Housing Rights, “ a statement of the community’s collective vision for housing justice. The summit will also identify concrete steps that can be taken by the LOU community to ensure that all residents have access to safe, affordable housing.

Registration for the Summit is free and open to anyone who wants to participate. Light refreshments will be provided in the morning, and lunch will be available for registered participants in the afternoon. Childcare services will also be available during the event.

For more information, contact the event organizers at loupeoplesummit@gmail.com.