Good morning, 

In DC and across the country, more people live outside than ever before because more people struggle to make ends meet. Our housing system is broken, but instead of fixing it and making rent cheaper, Congress is considering a bill that would jail or fine people who have no choice but to sleep outside.

The average rent in DC is $2,300 a month. For Trump and his billionaire cronies, that might be pocket change. But for most people, $2,300 is just too expensive.

This Wednesday, Congress will mark up a bill that will make homelessness worse, and means that people sleeping outside can face $500 in fines and/or 30 days in jail. We need your help to block this harmful bill. 

Let’s be clear: this is part of Trump’s racist power grab. What starts with homeless folks in DC will spread to everyone across the country. Moreover, this bill is part of a broader anti-democratic takeover of DC and cities across the country, including other bills that target Black and brown youth, get rid of cash bail, and further erase DC’s autonomy. DC residents do not want these bills; they want the right to govern themselves. 

DC residents do not have voting members of Congress. We need everybody from across the country to contact their member of Congress and demand that they focus on housing, not handcuffs. 

Click here and take 2 minutes to contact your Congressmember and demand that they oppose this harmful bill. 

Thank you!

The Housing not Handcuffs Campaign