Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Western Regional Advocacy Project. Don't forget to add wrap@wraphome.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!
 
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.

Hey People!


We had a busy month at Denver Homeless Out Loud...

*The Class Action Lawsuit is going to Trial with a statement from the judge
stating that the plaintiff (us) is likely to get a favorable judgment. Pre-trial
hearing will be May 2nd if you all want to come for a visit. We are hoping for a big showing.

The actual trial will be scheduled on that day for sometime in the early fall.

https://denverhomelessoutloud
.org/2018/03/26/homeless-class-action-moves-toward-trial-citys-motions-denied/


*We got a ballot initiative submitted (Right to Survive) and in the approval
process. With enough signatures to get it on the ballot, Denver voters will get to decide for themselves about peoples Right to Rest.

https://denverhomelessoutloud
.org/2018/03/21/right-to-survive-initiative-filled-in-denver-day-after-state-right-to-rest-hearing/


*Statewide the Right to Rest Act legislation was heard in committee. As it has yet to get out of committee we are hopeful the ballot initiative and the class action lawsuit will at least move things here in Denver.

https://denverhomelessoutloud.
org/2018/03/15/state-committee-
again-votes-against-right-to-res

And that is just what we got Going on with Denver Homeless Out loud!

Local allies are busy too!

The landscape concerning the struggle for space is moving fast around here. In addition to the above The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is in a legal battle with the suburb of Denver ( Lakewood) over access to Federal Land. The twisted argument is something along the lines of it is ok for business to build on former dump sites but the poor who have first dibs by federal mandate can't.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/03/27/homeless-housing-complex-denied/

And the Colorado Village Collaborative (CVC) has started its fundraising campaign for for Denver's 2nd tiny home village!!

https://www.coloradovillagecollaborative.org/st-andrews-village/

Northern California Regional Steering Committee of the Poor People's Campaign

MORAL MONDAY MASS MEETING, Monday, April 16, 2018 from 6:30PM - 8:30PM at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave, Sacramento CA 95816.

Featuring KEYNOTE SPEAKER Bishop Yvette Flunder, FOUR PILLARS TESTIMONY - MUSICAL ACTS - SPOKEN WORD. Join the Campaign!!

To RSVP please visit Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moral-monday-mass-meeting-of-the-northern-california-poor-peoples-campaign-a-national-call-for-tickets-43903052211

To RSVP please visit Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moral-monday-mass-meeting-of-the-northern-california-poor-peoples-campaign-a-national-call-for-tickets-43903052211

 

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. - George Orwell 

I saw someone reading Orwell's 1984 on the bus today and it occurred to me that his words would be an appropriate title for this email. Clearly, ignorance of the electorate translates into strength for the elites. The mission of Right 2 Survive is to change that. Right 2 Survive exists to inform, advocate for and educate around the issues of houselessness.

In the weeks and months ahead, the outreach goal of Right 2 Survive is to fill our social media pages and website with information that is both helpful to our organizing efforts and to do it in a way that is both vital and entertaining. To keep us on track, please let us know what you think.

Please take a minute to check out our updated website and read the excellent blog post submitted by Board Chair, Lisa Fay.

If you like what you see, consider clicking on the volunteer or donate buttons to help continue the work of Right 2 Survive.

 

Tues Apr 24th 6pm - YSA Tiny House Village Waivers/Benefits Approval City Council, 2134 MLK Jr Way, Berkeley, 2nd Floor

Youth Spirit Artwork's Tiny House Village project will be considered for very important permit & fee waivers, as well as other project benefits, by the Berkeley City Council in the next four weeks. Our youth and project team are asking that as many of our supporters as possible attend this important Council meeting and speak on behalf of our item, if this is needed for the item’s approval (consent calendar vs action item).

This crucial meeting date has been moved to Tues April 24th at 6pm at Shirek City Hall, 2134 MLK JR Way, 2nd Floor, Berkeley (between Allston Way and Center Street).
The proposal sponsored by Council Members Ben Bartlett and Cheryl Davila is being amended with input from the Mayor and City Manager, but we want to share the original item being considered, so you have a document describing the general thrust of what we are seeking. We will pass out the most up to date version of this proposal at the meeting, along with signs for everyone to hold.

We can be reached via text at: 510-282-0396 or email admin@youthspiritartworks.org with questions about this important meeting.

Click here to read the presentation done about the project by our Steering Committee member Aaron Mann, in case this is useful in getting updated on our efforts. We are extremely grateful to Charles Kahn & Buddy Williams of Kahn Design Studios for their assistance with pro bono architectural designs for our village which we are including here.

Also, our current Steering Committee Meetings are taking place weekly on Fridays at 9am at Youth Spirit Artworks, 1740 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley, if you or a colleague would be interested in attending.

Thank you for everything you are doing to support homeless and unstably housed young people in our local community. We are extremely excited about this project and its potential as a model for other Tiny House Villages locally and around the country.

Gratefully,
Sally
Sally Hindman
Executive Director
510-282-0396
www.youthspiritartworks.org

 

 

Everyone Deserves a House: An Interview With Pete White | Happy Ending with Nando VIla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGzvmS--6JM

A Happy Ending extended interview with Pete White, the founder and co-director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN). Why is rent so damn high? What can we do to make sure everyone has a place to live?

 

The Rent is Just Too Damn High | Happy Ending with Nando Vila
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjypBMMHvco&feature=youtu.be

Yeah, it’s too damn high, dammit. One out of every three households in America is considered unaffordable, meaning they cost the people living in them more than 30% of their income. Half of those households cost over 50% of their income, so half of their paychecks go to pay for where they have to live.

Picture the Homeless is so excited to announce the release of our latest policy report The Business of Homelessness: Financial & Human Costs of the Shelter-Industrial Complex.

It's the result of a year-long investigation by our research committee into the fiscal policies and priorities that influence the lives of homeless New Yorkers, and how those priorities could be adjusted to support permanent, stable, and decent housing for the lowest income New Yorkers.

This year marks the first time that the city's share of homeless shelter spending will top ONE BILLION DOLLARS, bringing the total expense budget for DHS to 1.8 billion dollars. With so much money moving around, it’s clear that homelessness is “big business” in NYC–but if the system is bad for the budget, bad for homeless people, and bad for neighborhoods, who exactly is profiting?

Please go check out the report. We're proud of it - but this is the beginning, not the end, of our work to end the #BusinessOfHomelessness. Follow us on social media and stay tuned for all the exciting actions and events we'll be rolling out.

This mess may be the consequence of multiple mayoral administrations refusing to confront the problem, but the Bill de Blasio Administration has the power to help end the Business Of Homelessness by backing the bold brave ideas coming from homeless folks.

...See below for quotes from us and our allies!


==


"Business as usual' isn't working," said Charmel Lucas of Picture the Homeless, a shelter resident and one of the primary researchers on the report. "Shelters are costing taxpayers 1.8 billion dollars a year, but it's not helping change the situation. The current status quo may be the result of bad decision-making by multiple mayoral administrations, but Mayor de Blasio has the power to help end the Business Of Homelessness by backing the bold brave ideas coming from homeless folks."

Read All quotes and share this report >>>>>