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Why Housing Our Stories?

My name is Zachi Elias. I started Housing Our Stories in tenth grade as an oral public history initiative.


My connection to housing issues began when I was 5 years old, volunteering with my family at shelters for the unhoused. These experiences influenced my belief that housing is a human right.


I am also a student of history. 

This has taught me that true history must include all voices.  

I also believe memory is a form of responsibility.

This is why I am recording these voices for posterity.


About Me

I’m Zachi Elias, an aspiring civic scholar interested in how societies understand and engage with the past. 


My work spans oral history, archival research, and public scholarship, with a focus on documenting experiences often excluded from mainstream narratives. Housing Our Stories grew from this commitment to preserving the histories of D.C. public housing residents and understanding how these stories reveal the experiences of communities too often overlooked. 


Through this work, I have seen how sharing personal histories can create opportunities for people to engage with perspectives different from their own and contribute to more thoughtful conversations about the challenges communities face. 


I hope to continue exploring how histories shape the way societies understand themselves and how people and institutions respond to those histories.

LEARN More about Zachi ELIAS

Clip from "Voices From Highland: Ms. Kima" (Hear all below)

Public History

In Housing Our Stories, I use public history to highlight voices often ignored in housing discussions. 


Public history includes sharing history outside of the traditional means through oral histories, museums, and films. 


By collecting oral public histories, I uncover personal experiences that aren't widely known and I think about issues like:


  • Whose stories are being told, and whose are left out?
  • How does history shape our community and identity?
  • How can history help us understand today’s housing issues?

Housing Our Stories: Video Excerpt

Part One: Voices from Highland

For the first installment of Housing Our Stories, I was privileged to interview residents of an affordable housing complex in D.C. I'm grateful for their permission to share their stories and to Ms. Carol, the council president, for her support.

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Part Two: Voices from La Casa

For Part 2 of Housing Our Stories, I had the privilege of speaking with residents of La Casa Transitional Rehabilitation Program. La Casa helps men experiencing homelessness achieve self-sufficiency. I'm grateful they shared their histories and appreciative of Ms. McCraney, the program director, for her support.

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Part Three: Voices from Inclusionary Zoning

For Part 3 of Housing Our Stories, I had the privilege of speaking with DC residents who received housing through the Inclusionary Zoning Program. I am grateful they shared their histories and to Lydia House for their support.

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Part Four: Voices from the birdSEED Foundation

For Part 4 of Housing Our Stories, I had the privilege of speaking with DC residents who received mini-grants through the birdSEED Foundation's Housing Justice Program. I am grateful they shared their histories and to Director Leslie Case for support. I serve as an Advisory Board Member.

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  • Voices From Highland
  • Voices from La Casa
  • Voices from IZ
  • Advocacy Storytelling

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