Until It's Done!

Another year has passed, and as we enter 2023, we are more determined to make a difference in how people without permanent housing, people identified as homeless, and people identified as poor are perceived and treated.  As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this day, we are mindful that no one should experience discrimination based on who they are or what they do not have.  Dr. King, spoke to the problem of poverty evidenced in the economic gaps that existed between groups of people. Sadly, today we are still lifting our voices calling for justice and lifting our feet marching for justice as new generations encounter what those who have come before us knew too well; the assault on the humanity, dignity, and survival of a people based on the color of their skin.

Then and now, the assault translates economically as people increasingly struggle to meet the basic needs of keeping a roof over their heads, having enough food to eat, accessing affordable health care, and obtaining quality public education for their children.  Ultimately, Dr. King envisioned a world that was just and where everyone would have what they needed, and where people were not in consistent survival mode being impoverished nationally and globally. Yes, he was a drum major for justice.

We are challenged this day and every day to not only meet the immediate needs of people identified as poor, but to reimagine the systems in place to serve people identified as poor, and to challenge those things in a society that create and maintain poverty. Delaware native and lawyer Bryan Stevenson reminds us through his work with people identified as poor and incarcerated that the “opposite of poverty is not wealth, but justice.”  We are also reminded of the call for justice by activist and scholar Angela Davis when she says “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”  What are you doing to bring justice and change?

Housing is a human right. Let us do our part in 2023 to end homelessness as we have come to know it in the United States. Let us do our part to bring about the change needed to keep people housed and not rent-burdened, to increase the availability of affordable and low-income housing, and to end the criminalization and discrimination of people based on their housing status. Let us stay the course until it is done!

To get involve and learn more about addressing poverty, homelessness, and housing justice in Delaware contact the H.O.M.E.S  (Housing, Opportunity, Mobility, Equity, Stability) Campaign at   https://www.homescampaignde.org/.

To get involved nationally contact the National Coalition for the Homeless Bring America Home Now (BAHN) Campaign at https://www.bringamericahomenow.org/