Justice 4 Housing is a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for justice involved individuals impacted by domestic violence and incarceration. We operate from a people-led process to organize and advocate for housing rights, the abolishment of discriminatory federal, state, and local housing policies. We address the root cause of recidivism in correlation to homelessness, by delivering holistic and community-based solutions. We envision a world beyond incarceration in which: communities of color are invested in, rather than surveilled and incarcerated; all people have access to stable, permanent housing from which to pursue their dreams; and an end to structural racism. We are building a robust movement to re-invest in our communities. The Problem Existing Public Housing Authority policies and regulations unduly limit access to housing assistance among justice involved individuals and their families. These policies have a disparate impact on people of color who, despite making up only 17% of the percent of the state population, represent 50% of the incarcerated population. PHA policies restricting housing access to Justice Involved Individuals (JIIs) are harmful, discriminatory, and based on an antiquated view of the criminal justice system. Denying access to subsidized housing makes it more likely that these families will experience homelessness, unemployment, and ultimately criminal justice involvement, perpetuating a grim cycle of poverty and recidivism. When JIIs can’t find stable housing, they have a much harder time finding and keeping jobs, maintaining their health, and pursuing educational opportunities – the very things that make recidivism less likely, communities safer, and families healthier.
