Chapter 12 Toolkit: Housing Security

Home Is Where The Rent Is (or Isn't): The Need for Housing Security

What to Read

1 . Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership

2 . The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

3 . In Defense of Housing: The Politics of Crisis by David J. Madden and Peter Marcuse

What to Watch

1 . Sold Out: Affordable Housing At Risk

2 . The Pursuit of Happiness 

3 . America's Looming Housing Crisis

4 . Facing Eviction 

5 . The Last Black Man in San Francisco

6 . The Homestretch

What You Can Do

1 . Donate money, clothes, socks, blankets, etc. to local organizations that help the houseless population

2 . Volunteer your time at a shelter or organization serving houseless people

3 . Research your local candidates. Politicians can dictate your community or city’s policies and funding levels for homeless services and affordable housing. Take the time to learn candidates’ proposals on houselessness and the issues that lead to it, and support those who echo your values. Even if you are not old enough to vote, you can work to bring awareness to their campaign and encourage others to vote for them

4 . Learn about youth houselessness. Children and teens experience homelessness much differently than adults do, and a different network of services addresses their specific needs. Take the time to learn about the youth shelters and homeless-services organizations in your region, and see what kinds of donations and volunteer efforts they need as well.

5 . Respect the homeless as individuals 

6 . Give homeless people the same courtesy and respect you would afford your friends, your family, your employer. Treat them as you would wish to be treated if you needed assistance.

7 . Respond with kindness, We can make quite a difference in the lives of houseless people when we respond to them, rather than ignore or dismiss them. Try a kind word and a smile.

Keep The Conversation Going

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