Addressing housing and homelessness in the Bay Area has thus never been more essential than it is right now. Historical disparities reproduced in today’s housing system operate in tandem with the Bay Area’s immense racial wealth gap, with Black and Latinx resident’s half as likely to own homes and twice as likely to live in poverty. In short, fighting for housing stability and affordability requires putting equity front and center. Housing Justice is a social justice issue.
Elections are coming up, and your vote can make a significant impact on housing justice in the Bay Area. Supporting Proposition 5 is a critical first step toward creating more equitable housing solutions for our community. Make your voice heard by learning more about Prop 5 and ensuring you’re registered to vote.
Today over 32,000 Bay Area residents are experiencing homelessness. Housing insecurity is one of the main factors driving poverty in the Bay Area today. Whether our neighbors are facing housing/rent burdens, housing insecurity or homelessness – fundamentally we’re talking about an experience in which individuals and families are forced to choose between the cost of housing or paying for basic needs like food, clothing, and childcare.
“Sometimes I feel I’m navigating a labyrinth, where every time I think I’m getting close to the center, the maze shifts, exposing new walls and putting me back in survival mode.” –Sharryl, UWBA Ambassador
Learn how Sharryl navigated through their housing challenges
United Way Bay Area is committed to ensuring everyone in our community has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. In light of recent developments, we strongly oppose policies that criminalize homelessness, which only deepen the housing crisis. Our Housing Justice initiative works to address the root causes of homelessness and advocate for equitable solutions that uplift all Bay Area residents.
Read our full statement on the Supreme Court decisionCommunity-led grants are decided by a community-led panel of 7 UWBA Ambassadors with lived experience facing housing insecurity. These grants provide direct support to keep families housed and target rental assistance and eviction prevention.
Our Work: UWBA, our partners, and other housing and advocacy organizations advocate for affordable and dignified housing for all people in the Bay Area, challenging misconceptions about housing and homelessness. This educational and advocacy initiative will help the public “Learn, Understand, and Act” on solutions that increase housing equity and affordability for racially marginalized groups disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis.
I would love to hear from you. Contact us, and a member of our team will reach out to you.
Karen Nemsick
Director, Housing Justice
We are stronger together.
In the coming weeks keep an eye on your inbox for news and information about housing justice in the Bay Area.