From a Volunteer. Considering how many people Sandy has STILL left homeless, this is pretty crucial: October 10th, 2014 is National Homeless Awareness Day. And, when I think of that, given my extensive history of experience, advocacy, outreach and research, it occurs to me that thats too pat. Its too pat, because the majority of you will say to yourselves: Well, I have a job, and Im not homeless, so this doesnt apply to me. But, allow me to disabuse you of that notion; its a proven fact that most working Americans are only two paychecks and a medical emergency away from being homeless. So, the rally on 10/10/14 is for anyone who couldnt pay rent last month, and dont know how theyre gonna pay it next month. Its for anyone who had to borrow money to pay rent. Its for anyone who had to pawn or sell something to make rent. Its for you hardworking people whose whole paycheck goes to paying rent. Those of you working two and three jobs just to make rent. Its for the parents whove had to sacrifice entertaining their kids in order to pay rent. Those of you living with people you dont want to live with because you cant afford to live on your own. Those of you who forfeit your dreams for a boring nine-to-five just to pay the mortgage. Those of you living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions because you have nowhere else to go. Those of you whove suffered illegal and/or retaliatory evictions and foreclosures. Those who endure abuse, rather than live on the streets. Those living in shelters, or whove been on housing wait lists for YEARS. Its for those who asked and then begged for housing assistance, only to be told you dont qualify. Or, wait. Its for those of us whore tired of waiting. Those whove been discriminated against, had to deal with rude and unscrupulous landlords; Its for those of us who are tired. Tired of our politicians ignoring us, tired of our complaints going ignored, tired of the rich getting richer, sitting up in their fancy McMansions getting fat off our backs. But, most of all, its for the veterans who risked their lives for this country, only to come back and die of hypothermia in the streets. To all of that, we say: NO MORE! Make your voice heard on 10/10/14 by calling and writing your elected officials and HUD. Let them know that we expect better treatment, and fairer laws. We want an immediate moratorium on ALL evictions and foreclosures for at least a year. Tell them to stop sending their police goons to throw our stuff on the streets, threatening and harassing us. Tell them to make the banks share some of that bailout money they got with us, so we can get our lives together, provide for our children, and breathe a sigh of relief. I dont care how you do it, just tell them.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:11:57 +0000
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