October 2021A

Right to Housing:

a Civil Rights Newsletter

The citizens of Denver are preparing to vote on a ballot initiative similar to the one passed in Austin this past May.  Most national groups condemn this initiative as further criminalizing homelessness (labeled Proposition 303). The activists behind Proposition B in Austin have already declared it a failure and have sued the City for not being mean enough and not ticketing enough people. NCH opposes this effort and urge Denver voters to focus on providing housing not tickets and forced confinement in designated campsites. 

The National Coalition for the Homeless has passed a position statement opposing "sanctioned encampments" that seem to be the next cheap way to not provide housing to the population.  This is an attempt to force those without housing who decide not to risk their health within a shelter into one part of town under strict rules.

Still no movement on either of the federal bills to protect voting as an institution for all in Congress.  We continue to see states figure out ways to make it difficult to vote, and over the last two weeks Ohio has circumvented the will of the people by passing a gerrymander map as part of the 10 year redistricting mandates for state races.  

Remember that November 2, 2021 is Election day.  While local elections don't attract the kind of attention compared to Congressional or Presidential elections, they are important.  There are a number of Governors up for election and in reality (based on my experience) local politicians are the last group of elected officials who actually listen to their constituents.  They listen to voters because they need every vote to win and making sure the roads are paved and garbage is collected is not a partisan matter. 

The first field office of the National Coalition for the Homeless is open in Cleveland, Ohio.  This Midwestern city bleeding population for the last 35 years is one of the poorest cities in the US, but has done some innovative things around homelessness.  They have a 20 year old agreement with the police overseen by the federal courts to prevent threats of arrest for those who stay outside on public property.  Cleveland has an extensive outreach system and significantly reduced the numbers living outside during the pandemic.  There are still serious issues, but it is good city to start organizing other Midwest cities to put those with recent experiences of being homeless in the lead in ending homelessness in America. 

Court Victory:  The federal appeals court ruled in a case out of Los Angeles that those without housing can own property and the City does not have a right to steal that property. It is amazing that this was ever in question, but we live in extreme times. 

Miami has proposed a City Council ordinance to create a segregated camp for those who live outside and toughen the penalty for those who are without housing. They are proposing giving 2 hours notice to the unhoused to relocate or face a $250 fine. 

Austin attempted an anti-camping initiative in May that has largely only moved people around and now is being sued by the organizers of this ballot initiative.  NCH along with 16 other groups has asked the Mayor to suspend this policy of sweeping the unhoused.  We have sent a national sign on letter to urge the City to look at alternatives to this misguided position.  

Notes from the Field: Check out the profiles of various individuals working to end homelessness in America.  We posted a story about Anita Beaty originally doing advocacy out of Atlanta and Loh who causes trouble for local politicians in Cleveland Ohio.  The painting is one of Anita's projects in which she is trying to inspire people to action using art. 

Check out the Bring America Home Now campaign website and let us know what policy solutions would most quickly end homelessness in America.  What national policies in education, housing, health care, civil rights, racial equity, and income would have the greatest impact on reducing poverty and provide housing justice to the broadest population? 

Action Steps

A Day of Action to Stop Evictions and Build More Housing--October 20, 2021 

NCH is rescheduling the rally to urge the nation's Governors to do whatever it takes to prevent evictions during a pandemic.  We intend to also push Congress to keep housing in the Build Back Better infrastructure bill. So far we have demonstrations in Cleveland, Cincinnati, DC, New York City, and Indianapolis.  Check out our social media platforms for more details especially @nchcivilrights on twitter.

Leadership Conference November 6 and 7 hosted on Zoom by the National Coalition for the Homeless.  Those who have recent experience with homelessness are invited to participate in this important gathering to help local groups succeed in amplifying the voices of the unhoused and learn about the NCH policy agenda to Bring America Home Now. Register here.