40 Years of Homelessness
Forty years ago, the federal government slashed affordable housing budgets of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), marking the beginning of the contemporary crisis of homelessness. It has become political fodder for local politicians to say they will end homelessness “in this city” with complete disregard for the fact that no one city created homelessness, and none will end it on their own.
Let’s all pitch in to Keep WRAP Strong into 2023 – Donations Matched!
Looking back over 40 years of organizing! We have been sharing words of insight and love from people we love about the vital role of WRAP in the struggle for the human right to housing and Paul’s commitment and organizing for justice over the past 40 years!
Read their powerful insights and words of love for Paul and WRAP here. As usual, WRAP is working hard writing and framing the last 40 years for the racist, classist, ableist devastation that it has wrought while uplifting the growing movements of resistance.
Donate to Honor Paul’s (40 years and counting!) Kick-Ass Organizing Work
One of the questions we asked people we love about this continuing forty-year process of addressing the root causes of homelessness in America was recognizing that our comrade Paul has also been fighting this neoliberal bullshit for forty years. In earlier emails people spoke about the importance of WRAP. Here is what some of our friends had to say about Paul’s role over the last forty years.
Oakland, CA. STOP THE SWEEPS PRESS CONFERENCE
Next Thursday, the 22nd, at 11am U.S. Court House 1301 Clay Oakland CA. 94612 we are having a press conference as the preliminary hearings begin and need all our allies to show up and call for justice!
Rad Lawyers and WRAP – Upending unjust laws and systems together!
A lot of work done addressing oppressions across the country takes place in courtrooms and legislative bodies. This work is not always successful due to the fact that the oppressors are the ones making the laws. But we know you can’t fight a system if you don’t know the ins and outs of how that system works. You do the research, you do the lawsuits, and legal representation, etc. There are overwhelming and awful processes where people can appeal the horrors being done to them – theoretically for due process. If you exhaust these it helps to say “see this is a systemic form of oppression – not just an isolated act of oppression.” To do all this you need to have radical lawyers.
Why WRAP is Essential in the Fight!
By bringing together some of the fiercest organizations fighting homelessness, WRAP has developed a unique structure that combines street outreach, movement building, direct action and policy work – all based in the input from those most affected. WRAP has the power of collective mobilization while remaining accountable to the realities of local communities. This gives us the strength, experience, and legitimacy to make ending homelessness a national priority.
40-years of fighting – plus, donations are being matched!
Forty years ago, the federal government slashed HUD’s & USDA’s affordable housing budgets, marking the beginning of the contemporary crisis in homelessness. I have committed the last four decades of my own life to building power in our communities and fighting for the human right to housing.
Fighting in the courts: Building community power in the streets
We cannot thank you all enough for purchasing tickets for our Housing is a Human Right Night at Dodger Stadium, whether you attended the game yourself or kicked your ticket(s) over to a community member. This event reminded us that **sharing joyful moments together** is critical to our movement over the long haul.
Justice & Care: Fall Vigil and Celebration of Community
Join the Street Books crew for food, solemnity and celebration. Write a love note to library patrons and librarians, pause for a vigil against the sweeps and finish the evening with dance and celebration.
Justice & Care: Fall Vigil and Celebration of Community
SB 1338, also known as “CARE Court,” passed on Wednesday August 31. The bill makes it easier to coerce people with mental health disabilities into treatment, and is targeted at the unhoused. The bill also contains a TBD plan to manifest the massive amount of resources that would be needed to treat so many new patients.
Statewide fight against Newsom’s “Care”-LESS Courts continues!
Thank you to everyone who signed the open letter to Governor Newsom urging him to reconsider his CARE Court proposal. There were over 500 signatories! Disability Rights California staff along with other disability and housing advocates hand delivered
(S)Care Court Hearing Tomorrow 8/3 Last Hearing before floor Vote
California. Wednesday August 3: Assembly Appropriations Hearing SB 1338 will be heard in Assembly Appropriations Committee on August 3. The hearing will begin at 9am and the Committee will likely take some remote testimony in opposition (me too’s).
