Resisting homelessness in the richest place on Earth

Latest

Two men pack all they own in a shopping cart during one of San Jose, CA’s police sweeps of homeless encampments. PHOTO/SANDY PERRY
Two men pack all they own in a shopping cart during one of San Jose, CA’s police sweeps of homeless encampments.
PHOTO/SANDY PERRY

 
Editor’s note: The People’s Tribune interviewed some of the leaders of the movement to end homelessness in Silicon Valley. We asked them: What needs to be done immediately to address the homelessness crisis in Silicon Valley? Recent studies show that 10% of California university students experience homelessness and 20-40% experience hunger and food insecurity.
Alma Rosas, Affordable Housing Network: We need to end landlord discrimination against people in the Section 8 housing program. The landlords have a freeze on renting to anyone that receives housing assistance. No one on Section 8 can find an apartment to rent, because either the rent is too high or the landlord will not accept them. Some people on housing are even forced to leave apartments they already have. Then they lose their Section 8, because they do not speak up to demand that the Housing Authority renew their certificate.
Mercy Wong, CHAM Deliverance Ministry: We need to open up empty buildings so homeless people can move into them. We need to build tiny homes for people that have no place to stay. We also need legal encampments for as long as people need them until there is housing for everyone. Everyone deserves a home, especially the families with children.
Pastor Scott Wagers, CHAM Deliverance Ministry:  When CHAM’s Mercy Mobile visits the homeless camps, it is about more than mercy. We not only organize church groups to help the homeless, we organize the homeless to help churches, and everyone to help one another. We strive for the vision of Dr. King, a non-violent army demanding that the government abolish poverty. We preach power, the power we all access when we understand how precious we are in the eyes of God.
Rose Wallis, Low-Income Self-Help Center: They need to stop police sweeps of homeless encampments. People need a common place to lay their heads at night, a place to get food, showers, and resources. They need a place where they can find the things they need. Without that they can’t move forward, they are just living day by day, second by second.

+ Articles by this author

Sandy Perry is a longtime housing advocate from San Jose, CA.

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Nearly 80% of Americans Think Immigration is Good, Gallop Poll Shows

The eight-point increase in support for giving immigrants living in the U.S. illegally the chance to become U.S. citizens reflects increased support from all party groups according to Gallop poll.

Why Did Flash Floods in Texas Bring Such Death & Destruction?

Some lives could have been saved with better local warnings in the recent flood in TX, but federal government cuts to FEMA, National Weather Service and NOAA are leaving communities ill-prepared for disasters.

Farmworker in Critical Condition After Fall During California ICE Raid

A farmworker was critically injured during a California ICE raid after he fell from a greenhouse roof where he was hiding.

Winners and Losers in Trump’s ‘Ugly Bill’

Winners and losers: The greatest upward transfer of wealth in U.S. history cut Medicaid, SNAP, and other necessities to give massive tax breaks to billionaires.

Mamdani’s NY Campaign Electrifies Those Seeking a Better Life

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has struck a nerve by voicing the demands of those who are struggling to survive as the cost of living continues to rise.

More from the People's Tribune