‘Justice for Jordan Neely’ Means Investing in Housing, Social Services
Neely’s killing is once again a reminder that carceral approaches to homelessness reproduce, rather than ameliorate, poverty.
Leah Goodridge May 18, 2023
More in Housing
A Coalition Led by Philly’s Homeless Youth Wants to Change How Cities Help the Unhoused
Every Thursday morning, the Philly Homes 4 Youth (PH4Y) Coalition hosts a weekly virtual workspace for its members. The coalition of young advocates, youth workers, and non-profit administrators have been strategizing together since at least 2016 to improve care for young people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. But lately, the group’s meetings have taken on a more urgent tone: Tens of millions in federal COVID-19 relief funding is currently up for grabs in Philadelphia, and the coalition wants to ensure at least 20 percent of the money goes to youth services.
Rashni Stanford Mar 22, 2022
Los Angeles County Homeless Residents Say Sheriff’s Department Is Targeting Them
The ACLU of Southern California is suing the city of Lancaster and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for excessively citing people living at desert homeless encampments in the Antelope Valley.
Francisco Aviles Pino Jun 04, 2021
The Movement That Is Upending Landlords’ Power Over Tenants
There has been a ‘parabolic increase’ in cities and states giving tenants a right to counsel to help fight evictions.
Abigail Savitch-Lew Jun 01, 2021
How Demands for Affordable Housing Are Defining Pittsburgh’s Mayoral Race
A disproportionate number of Black residents have left the city, and advocates say the next mayor needs to ensure greater access to housing.
Joshua Vaughn May 07, 2021
The Movement to Guarantee Legal Help for Struggling Renters Is ‘Taking Root’ in Connecticut
Only 7 percent of tenants in the state have legal representation in eviction proceedings. A bill in the Connecticut house is trying to change that.
Bryce Covert May 03, 2021
Maryland Could Be the First State to Provide Lawyers for Tenants Facing Eviction
A bill passed by the state legislature, but yet to be enacted, would offer access to counsel for low-income renters.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Apr 16, 2021
Denver City Council Members Propose a Way to Keep Tenants in Their Homes
A new proposal would make Denver the latest major city to provide legal defense for residents facing evictions.
Jerry Iannelli Apr 15, 2021
COVID-19 Is Still Here But Connecticut’s Sympathy for Hardest Hit Renters Has Run Out
The governor has rolled back eviction protections for those struggling most to pay rent.
Bryce Covert Mar 31, 2021
Seattle’s City Council Gives Poor Residents Right to Eviction Attorneys
The city joins the national trend of guaranteeing counsel in eviction court, which data shows can save people’s homes.
Jerry Iannelli Mar 29, 2021
New York City Considers A Bold Idea To Keep People From Being Pushed Out Of Their Homes
Activists are calling for a number of new policies to expand the reach of community land trusts.
Abigail Savitch-Lew Mar 29, 2021
Federal Funding Charts the Path for Local Eviction Right-To-Counsel Efforts
To all of the state lawmakers wondering how to fund legal representation for tenants facing evictions: follow the federal COVID-19 relief packages.
John Pollock Mar 26, 2021
Anchorage’s Anti-Homeless Movement May Elect the City’s Next Mayor
One of the leading candidates for Anchorage’s mayoral race is backed by a far-right Facebook group tied to the U.S. Capitol riot.
Jerry Iannelli Mar 23, 2021
How Tenants’ Right to Counsel Can End Inequality in the Eviction System—and Save Lives
Ensuring renters have representation in housing court would help close a “justice gap” and be a life-saving intervention for those at risk of losing their homes.
Emily Benfer Mar 10, 2021
The Housing Justice Group Fighting to Put Power Back in Tenant Hands
KC Tenants has secured passage of a tenant “bill of rights” and successfully blocked hundreds of evictions through civil action in the Kansas City, Missouri area.
Bryce Covert Mar 04, 2021
The Future of Housing in St. Louis Hinges on the Mayoral Race
Whether the city will do more to keep people in their homes or simply do more of the same depends on who voters elect as the next mayor.
Meg O'Connor Mar 01, 2021
Most Tenants Facing Eviction Don’t Have a Right to an Attorney. Lawmakers Want to Change That
Numerous city councils and state legislatures are debating giving renters a right to counsel, which can make the difference between stability and catastrophe.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Feb 18, 2021
Washington State’s Most Populous County Curbed Covid-19 Among The Homeless By Moving Them To Hotels. But One Local Government Fought Back.
Seattle suburb Renton is battling an emergency homeless shelter through its zoning code.
Rachel M. Cohen Feb 10, 2021
New York City Mayoral Candidates Blast de Blasio’s Housing Record
In a forum with people experiencing homelessness, Democratic candidates criticized the mayor’s affordable housing plans, embraced a ‘right to housing,’ and rejected police intervention on homelessness calls.
Chris Gelardi Feb 05, 2021
Austin To Buy Second Hotel That Will Become Permanent Supportive Housing
The city will use funds diverted from its police budget to set up wraparound services for the people who will live at the hotel.
Meg O'Connor Feb 04, 2021
Eviction Bans Saved Lives During The Pandemic, New Research Says
Policies that helped keep people in their homes—and keep the utilities on—reduced COVID-19 deaths and infections.
Joshua Vaughn Jan 28, 2021
Austin Will Use Money Cut From Police Budget To Establish Supportive Housing
The City Council voted to buy one hotel and use funds diverted from its police budget to set up wraparound services for the homeless people who will live there.
Meg O'Connor Jan 27, 2021
Austin May Use Money Cut From Police Budget To Establish Permanent Supportive Housing
The City Council will decide whether to buy two hotels and use funds diverted from its police budget to set up wraparound services for the homeless people who will live there.
Meg O'Connor Jan 26, 2021
A Judge Suspended Evictions in Kansas City. Advocates Say That’s Not Enough
The order halts evictions in the city and surrounding area until Jan. 24, but a housing rights group says greater protections are needed for the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joshua Vaughn Jan 12, 2021
Cities Are Pressuring Landlords to Evict People Under ‘Crime-Free’ Housing Laws
In Granite City, Illinois, landlords have been penalized for refusing to evict tenants who have criminal records or are simply living with someone who does.
Cinnamon Janzer Jan 11, 2021
The Pandemic Hasn’t Stopped Landlords From Evicting Tenants—And It’s About To Get Much Worse
Landlords have continued forcing renters out of their homes, despite a patchwork of protections from federal and local governments. Now, with the CDC moratorium set to expire on Dec. 31, millions of Americans could be evicted.
Meg O'Connor Dec 18, 2020
The Coming Wave of Evictions Will Significantly Worsen America’s COVID-19 Crisis
The CDC must immediately extend its emergency eviction moratorium to give the Biden administration and Congress time to provide additional emergency rental assistance.
Emily Benfer, Gregg Gonsalves, Danya Keene Dec 07, 2020
Why Los Angeles Activists Don’t Want Their Mayor In Biden’s Cabinet
Eric Garcetti, who may be considered for a position in the administration, is out of touch with the city’s working class and poor people, activists say. And they fear he’ll bring that sensibility to national politics.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Dec 03, 2020
Against CDC Guidance, Denver Displaces Hundreds Of Homeless People Amid COVID-19 Spike
Cities across the country have continued to displace and criminalize homelessness during the pandemic, though the CDC cautions clearing encampments can heighten the potential for the spread of COVID-19.
Meg O'Connor Dec 02, 2020
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Is Fresh Off His Book Tour, But Activists Say He Doesn’t Live Up to His National Reputation
Progressive lawmakers and activists say Cuomo has failed to adequately protect those who are out of work, at risk of losing their homes, or living behind bars, where the virus has spread rapidly.
Tara Francis Chan, Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov 19, 2020
A Clash of Housing Philosophies Is At The Heart of a High-Profile California State Senate Race
First-time state Senate candidate Jackie Fielder’s housing plans are geared toward government investment, while incumbent Scott Wiener’s plans have relied on the construction of market rate housing with some affordable units.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov 03, 2020
In California Rent Control Battle, Controversies Swirl Around Funders on Both Sides
Corporate backers of a group opposed to Proposition 21 don’t match the protective image it portrays. And a nonprofit that has contributed to supporters has been accused of financial improprieties.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Oct 28, 2020
How Julie Oliver’s Personal Experiences With Healthcare And Housing Have Influenced Her Run For Congress
‘Our Congress should be reflective of the people here, and it’s not,’ the Texas resident said.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Oct 27, 2020
How Organizers Are Defending Against Evictions Amid a Pandemic
Tenants rights groups in Brooklyn, Kansas City, New Orleans, and elsewhere are using physical blockades and direct action to keep people in their homes.
Bryce Covert Oct 20, 2020
Tenant Organizers Are Running To Keep New Yorkers In Their Homes
After defeating long-time incumbents in Democratic primaries, progressive candidates are championing cancelling rent and banning evictions.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Oct 15, 2020
California Needs A Community-Based Response To People In Crisis, Not Law Enforcement
Governor Newsom should sign the CRISES Act into law this week and invest in community partners who support people in crisis situations.
Asantewaa Boykin Sep 29, 2020
Philadelphia Housing Advocates Declare Victory After Monthslong Battle With City
The city will give advocates 50 vacant homes to be used for permanent housing for low-income residents, according to a tentative agreement.
Joshua Vaughn Sep 29, 2020
The Trump Administration Is Pushing To Make It Harder For Trans People To Seek Shelter During The Pandemic
The Trump administration mishandled COVID-19, creating conditions that left transgender people even more vulnerable to housing instability than before. Now it’s pushing for a rule change that would allow homeless shelters to discriminate against trans people.
Gillian Branstetter, Sarah Saadian Sep 17, 2020
The Mississippi Program That’s Showing How Effective Direct Cash Transfers Can Be
Researchers say that programs like the Magnolia Mother’s Trust, which gives Black women $1,000 a month, could be crucial in reducing the racial wealth gap.
Lauren Gill Sep 14, 2020