Campaigns to fight for the homeless?

[hugsandmarxism]

Ok, so for this Sociology of Communication class, I'm working with an NGO who is fighting for the rights of the homeless (and ultimately to end homelessness, but that's a pipe dream without getting rid of the economic system that brought it about) and I need to find successful public awareness campaigns that fight on behalf of the homeless (or related issues, like fighting against foreclosures, etc.). Does anyone have any information on similar campaigns going on within the revolutionary left? I'm also particularly interested in what our anarchist comrades might have to offer in this department. Your help is appreciated :)

[blake 3:17]

One of the most amazing groups I've ever workerd with is the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty which defends which is made up of poor people and their allies. Defending rights of housing, opposing deportations and evictions, fighting for rights to social assistance, and whatever else needs to happen!

http://www.ocap.ca/

Recently the organization " was honored to be the 2009 recipient of the Richard Cloward and Frances Fox Piven Award for putting the ideals of the Caucus for a New Political Science, "to make the study of politics relevant to the struggle for a better world," into practice." http://www.ocap.ca/node/761

The methods of OCAP draw a lot on Fox Piven and Cloward's book Poor People's Movments. If you're going to be doing work in this area, you need to read the book. It's an amazing history and gives very practical strategic advice on how poor people can fight back and win.

[spiltteeth]

http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/

Also check out Food Not Bombs

Crimethinc does charity for the homeless as well

[bricolage]

London Coalition Against Poverty act on homelessness, specifically on the issue of gatekeeping, here's an example; http://www.lcap.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/homeless.pdf

[KurtFF8]

Food Not Bombs is probably one of the better orgs to work with.

They attempt to be a revolutionary organization and fundamentally reshape the way non-homeless relate with the homeless (by having it not be a charity, but instead community building).

I think there may be some theoretical problems with the organization in general but for the most part, they're one of the best homeless advocacy groups out there.

[Die Neue Zeit]

What's the program to be fought for? Mere action isn't enough. :(

[blake 3:17]

What's the program to be fought for? Mere action isn't enough.

The anti-poverty groups I`ve been involved with have all fought for immediate increases in social assistance and the minimum wage, opposition to `workfare` schemes, housing and access to healthy food as social rights, increased support for people with disabilities, the right to a free education, normalization of status for migrant workers, opposition to police brutality and self determination for people without housing (including the right to refuse shelter).

The most effective anti-poverty groups are self defense organizations similar to trade unions.

[JimmyJazz]

Crimethinc does charity for the homeless as well

I think the homeless already know how to dumpster-dive. :)

[Die Neue Zeit]

The anti-poverty groups I`ve been involved with have all fought for immediate increases in social assistance and the minimum wage, opposition to `workfare` schemes, housing and access to healthy food as social rights, increased support for people with disabilities, the right to a free education, normalization of status for migrant workers, opposition to police brutality and self determination for people without housing (including the right to refuse shelter).

The most effective anti-poverty groups are self defense organizations similar to trade unions.

While that is a comprehensive action program, I meant something along the lines of tenants' rights and Right To The City stuff.

"Workfare" schemes are better discussed here:

http://www.revleft.com/vb/full-employment-under-t118165/index.html

[cyu]

From http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2009/02/13/neighbors-helping-neighbors-break-vacant-houses.html

"Poverty rights activists broke into at least a dozen vacant Minneapolis buildings this week and helped homeless families move in."

...organized by Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign: http://old.economichumanrights.org/index.shtml

[Pawn Power]

I think the most active groups (at least on the east coast) right now are Picture the Homeless (http://www.picturethehomeless.org/) and the Poor People's Economic and Human Rights Campaign (http://old.economichumanrights.org/index.shtml).