With the help of legislation and students, America sets down a path for success against the housing crisis.
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Students: The Key to Success
How Housing America Can Help
“Senator Kerry’s Federal Housing Trust Fund legislation sets us on a path to finally end America’s housing crisis.”
Randy Shaw, Director
The Federal Housing Trust Fund legislation sponsored by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) earmarks surplus Federal Housing Administration (FHA) funds for building and preserving affordable housing for working families. The current surplus exceeds $5 billion and is expected to reach $20 billion in the next five years. The Kerry bill would more than triple current housing construction and add over one million housing units for the families who need it most.
Homelessness has persisted the past two decades because politicians have not been sufficiently pressured to fund affordable housing. Changing this dynamic requires the participation of students. Students have played a central role in every successful social justice campaign in the past four decades and are critically involved in the battle against sweatshops and globalization. Student power must now be brought into the battle to ensure safe and affordable housing for all Americans.
A few examples of what students can do:
* Get local Congressperson to co-sponsor the Kerry bill
* Pressure universities to actively lobby for increased federal housing funds to address campus-area housing shortages
* Engage in nonviolent direct action to highlight the national housing crisis
* Target protest activities against key politicians and university administrators * Create alliances in campus communities in support of building affordable housing
* Win local city council resolution in support of Kerry bill
* Use teach-ins, tabling, and zines, write articles and letters for local and campus newspapers, to educate and organize support for increased government funding for affordable housing
How Housing America Can Help
Housing America can provide students with tactical, strategic, and media support. This assistance can be provided via e-mail, phone, or (depending on your location) visits by our staff or from a nearby housing group. Housing America director Randy Shaw is available to speak on campuses and help in recruitment efforts for the campaign.
To contact Housing America:
- Send us email at THC@igc.org
- Call us at (415) 771-9850
- Visit our website at Housingamerica.net
