A few weeks ago, we wrote about the important role housing justice plays in the racial justice movement. Since then, you’ve organized with your neighbors, taken action to fight the eviction moratorium, and made calls to demand that lawmakers #CancelRent. We’re energized by your collective action - and we need to keep it up.
Little has changed over the past few weeks when it comes to state action to prevent the impending housing crisis. This past Friday, the federal government let the supplemental $600 in unemployment benefits expire. Should there be no additional relief, over 40% of renter households across the nation will be at risk of eviction. In New York State, the three-bill package, desperately needed to address the rent, eviction, and homelessness crises, sits untouched by legislators. Last month, Governor Cuomo launched the NY Rental Relief program, which provides barely a shred of aid to those who need it most. Even more troubling is the fact that the eviction moratorium in New York is set to expire on Thursday. When this happens, housing courts will be flooded with new eviction cases for non-payment of rent. Hundreds of thousands of families -- disproportionately Black and Brown -- will be on track to lose their homes in the midst of the worst public health crisis in over a century. White people have long participated and benefited from the racist housing system, acting as cogs in the machine of displacement and violence against Black and Brown people. But the machine cannot continue to grind if the cogs refuse to turn.
Join the Housing Justice for All and Right to Counsel coalitions for a series of actions this week! Watch for updates here.
On Monday, August 10th we’ll be at the final event of the week, a BIG Shutdown the Courts action. Sign up to join a SURJ NYC housing-action team to act together on the 10th and beyond!
To learn more, join this Thursday’s SURJ NYC Chapter Meeting for an important and urgent discussion on Housing Justice. Read below for Chapter Meeting details, along with other upcoming events and ways to be involved this week. Be well, and we look forward to seeing you this Thursday!
In solidarity,
SURJ NYC