REACH News

March 2023

Housing is a Human Right

We've Got Mail, Again

The post office inadvertently returned mail sent to the REACH Advocacy Post Office Box during part of February. Please feel free to contact us if you have concerns that we didn't receive something you mailed us.

Upcoming Events

• Advocacy Team Discussion, Wednesday, April 4 at 4:00 PM
• Project Haven Volunteer Orientation, monthly on the last Friday at 8:00 AM or 4:00 PM

Click a link and send an email to learn more and register to attend.

Project Haven News

After completing building repairs, the last of the six Project Haven scattered sites opened at capacity on March 17.

Our staff had prepared for this day and were very excited to welcome guests to the home. Their goal is to provide a warm, accepting space where guests are treated with dignity and can continue their progress to transition out of homelessness.

The guests who moved to this location are from our main shelter, moving into transitional housing on their way to permanent housing within the Haven, precisely as it was designed.

Shelter Needs

Operating scattered sites requires many supplies. Donations are always needed. You can view a list of our most needed items here. As always, we appreciate your continued support.

Edgerton Meadows Updates

The Tiny Homes team met with City officials to discuss the current site and architectural plans and our path to starting construction. The process is complex and lengthy. However, the City fully supports the Tiny Home project and will guide us through the steps necessary to get shovels in the ground. We're in good hands.

The solution to homelessness

is a home. Period.

Simultaneously, we continue to work on funding for both construction and operations. We have several grants in the works, including one that could fully fund operations. Your generous donations have helped pay the predevelopment costs necessary to bring a solid plan forward to our meeting with the City.

Advocacy Notes

The team turned our focus to how to change the narrative so that we view housing as a human right. It is one of the basic needs we humans must have to survive. Some people believe the primary value of housing is its capacity to build wealth; however, to view it in this way has had a significant social cost.

The Urban Institute report, Decommodification and Its Role in Advancing Housing Justice noted, “...continuing to treat housing as a commodity first and foremost amounts to a deliberate disregard of the legacy of racist public policies and private practices that have led to poor housing outcomes for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other people of color.” (p.12)

Newsletter Updates

Maria Lelie recently gave notice of her resignation from the team due to increased professional obligations. We thank her for her graciousness and all she has done during her time with REACH and wish her the best with her new endeavors.

REACH is looking for an Editor for our monthly newsletter. The position involves editing and publishing the newsletter and requires three to five hours a month. If this volunteer opportunity appeals to you, please contact us with your interest and experience.

Thank you to our readers!

We are grateful for your generous support of REACH Advocacy.

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