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WRAP

Western Regional Advocacy Project

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Lynn Lewis

How did you meet Paul and get to know the work of WRAP?
I met Paul in 1991-ish when I joined the National Coalition for the Homeless Civil Rights Workgroup calls. Paul was still the Executive Director of the San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness. We were both holding down spots on the board of the National Coalition for the Homeless as “formerly homeless” board members. I was really excited to hear someone else talking about the fact that just because folks have lost their home doesn’t mean they’ve lost their civil and human rights. I was also excited to hear someone else bring a critique of the Reagan administration’s cuts to housing and that homelessness is created by bad public policy.

What’s needed next – how do we push forward together given that fascism and criminalization are worse than ever?
The only way to defeat fascism is by being anti-fascist, not hoping that the fascists will wake up one day and be nice. Arming people with knowledge about different ways to fight back is critical and supporting folks to be connected to other homeless-led groups is also like a lifeline. We have to organize across sectors of race, poverty and ability and migration status, and more, while at the same time not losing the “homeless” thread. Most folks who aren’t homeless (yet) might say “I’m not like THAT person” because of the stigma attached to homelessness, but clearly, we need to highlight who is harmed by current housing and policing policies and build common ground.

What in your opinion is the role/expertise WRAP plays in this moment after 40 years of modern-day houselessness and growing criminalization – but also the growing movement of radical organizations and people’s movements fighting for the world we want?

WRAP is absolutely critical to supporting the growing movement of houseless folks. We need to shine a light on the fact that policies create homelessness and that policies can end homelessness. There are solutions to the housing crisis. It is so important for folks to be connected to others going through similar situations and sharing strategies so that we can organize for real solutions. A lot of radical/progressive movements don’t see homelessness as a part of their struggles and WRAP’s analysis of how we got here is important education for the broader movement. WRAP’s popular education materials are fun and compelling and make people want to learn – like WTF is THIS!

Paul has also been doing this for 40 years – Want to send a love message to Paul – about his impact on your work – and/or about his impact overall?

I fucking love Paul for being so fucking consistent!


Lynn Lewis works at the intersection of community organizing, oral history and popular education, with a focus on supporting and documenting homeless organizing and leadership in social justice movements. She worked at Picture the Homeless for seventeen years and is currently working on an oral history project to document the work of the organization from the perspective of longtime homeless leaders who made that work possible. She has a few decades of working on issues of homelessness, housing and land use dating back to the early eighties. Like many working class people, she and her family have experienced homelessness more than once, but during a time when it was much easier to get back on your feet and get housed again.

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Nationally, evictions from public housing have sur Nationally, evictions from public housing have surged since late 2021, when the federal government lifted an eviction moratorium put in place to protect renters during the pandemic, according to Peter Hepburn, associate director of Princeton University’s Eviction Lab.  https://conta.cc/3WJco9B
WRAP members and allies always tell us the vital i WRAP members and allies always tell us the vital importance of feeling connected to each other- sharing stories from our own communities, learning from past campaigns, and having artwork that we can share (and wear!) that affirms the life-saving message that we are in this together - we are not alone! 
https://conta.cc/3Wfb5Pw
Join the Coalition On Homelessness San Francisco T Join the Coalition On Homelessness San Francisco Thursday May 11 at 12 noon steps of City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the fin We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the final two Aloft residents, Juilo and Alberto who we asked for the community’s support in advocating for, got a commitment from the State for housing vouchers and the City agreed to bridge them in a hotel like everyone else!! This means that NO Aloft resident was kicked to the shelters or streets due to the closure!! This is a huge testament to what is possible when everyone comes together toward a housing goal and puts their resources toward housing! 
https://conta.cc/3LYOumD
Instagram post 17977559687207330 Instagram post 17977559687207330
Of course, in a time when the poor people are demo Of course, in a time when the poor people are demonized for being poor and homeless people are increasingly seen more as something to fear rather than human beings, it’s unfortunately not all that surprising.
https://conta.cc/3HxZpkV
https://conta.cc/3HwGcQq
We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the fin We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the final two Aloft residents, Juilo and Alberto who we asked for the community’s support in advocating for, got a commitment from the State for housing vouchers and the City agreed to bridge them in a hotel like everyone else!! This means that NO Aloft resident was kicked to the shelters or streets due to the closure!! This is a huge testament to what is possible when everyone comes together toward a housing goal and puts their resources toward housing! 
https://conta.cc/3HsVsOn
Unhoused people are most often prosecuted for "cri Unhoused people are most often prosecuted for "crimes of survival," like sitting, lying down, or sleeping in public space. In order to protect people from discriminatory enforcement of laws that were created deny people their right to exist where they happen to live The Right To Rest Act was created in 2015 and is still being fought for today!!!! 
The Right 2 Rest Act did not meet the threshold to be voted out of committee this term, but this informational hearing will ensure legislators know this bill is necessary to protect our human rights to public space! 
https://conta.cc/3KSclTn
Join us to discuss the specifics of the Right to R Join us to discuss the specifics of the Right to Rest Act, HB3501:  What it is, why we need it and how we make it happen in Oregon.  https://conta.cc/3ZOeMvA
WRAP Round Up & Job Announcement. Hello amazing en WRAP Round Up & Job Announcement.
Hello amazing endorsers and coalition members! First off, thank you for all of your enduring support for the Right to Rest Act. This legislative session is confusing and convoluted, and your faith in the positive impact of this bill makes the struggle worth it. 

We face numerous obstacles such as a delayed bill number and committee assignment, as well as losing a couple co-sponsors from 2021. However, Rep. Chaichi (Chief Sponsor) and Rep. Pham (Co-Sponsor) continue to move this bill forward and advocate on our behalf. 
https://conta.cc/3zl8SHO
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And the hits (sweeps) just keep on coming!!!

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Nationally, evictions from public housing have surged since late 2021, when the federal government lifted an eviction moratorium put in plac...
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