Sign the petition: Support real solutions to homelessness. Oppose arrests and fines.

Friend, our nation is experiencing a severe shortage of [affordable rental homes](, with a deficit of 7.3 million units accessible to extremely low-income renters. This crisis affects every state and major metropolitan area, demonstrating a systemic failure to provide for our most vulnerable populations. [Sign the petition: Support real solutions to homelessness. Oppose arrests and fines.]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( Nationally, a [worker]( (PDF) needs to earn $28.58 per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom, rental home, yet this is far beyond what most can earn, particularly those at or below the minimum wage. This gap makes it nearly impossible for low-income individuals to find affordable housing without significant financial stress or, worse, the risk of homelessness. Punishing homelessness, as seen in cities like [Grants Pass, Oregon](, not only violates the basic rights of unhoused individuals but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and exclusion. We must shift our approach from punishment to one of empathy and assistance. The morality of our society is judged by how we treat our most vulnerable. We must choose humanity over hardship and become a nation that supports rather than condemns. [Sign the petition: Support real solutions to homelessness. Oppose arrests and fines.]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( Thanks for all you do, Mayra Souza, Daily Kos P.S. Below is an email we sent out earlier demanding support for the homeless instead of punishment: --------------------------------------------------------------- Friend, [sign and send the petition: Support real solutions to homelessness. Oppose arrests and fines.]( [SIGN AND SEND THE PETITION]( The current homeless crisis calls for immediate and compassionate legislative action to ensure that everyone, regardless of their economic status, has access to affordable housing and is protected from inhumane treatment. The underlying causes of homelessness are the severe shortage of [affordable housing]( and the widening gap between incomes and [housing costs](. The lack of affordable housing has made housing out of reach for many of the lowest-income renters. If we hope to reduce homelessness, we must treat the issue's root causes, not punish the end result. [Sign and send the petition: Support real solutions to homelessness. Oppose arrests and fines.]( [SIGN AND SEND THE PETITION]( Punitive measures make it more difficult for individuals to secure employment and housing, creating a vicious cycle that keeps people trapped in homelessness. Cities like Grants Pass, Oregon, have sought to ticket and arrest people for engaging in basic survival activities like sleeping outdoors, even when there is no other place for them to go. This policy is now at the center of a case that is under review by the Supreme Court. How the court rules could lead to further arrests of unhoused people across the country ([PDF](). Recent legislative efforts to address the issue include the [Ending Homelessness Act](, a bill to ensure universal rental assistance for all households in need, and tackling discrimination against renters. Another is the [Housing Crisis Response Act](, which, if enacted, would be an historic investment in affordable housing. By passing meaningful legislation, we can build a future where no individual has to suffer the indignity of homelessness. Join us in this vital effort to transform our approach to homelessness from punitive measures to compassionate, evidence-based solutions. [Sign and send the petition to Congress: Address the housing crisis in this country and protect the unhoused from cruel arrests and tickets.]( [SIGN AND SEND THE PETITION]( Thank you for fighting with us, Mayra Souza, Daily Kos We're not asking for much Over the past 12 months, the average donation to Daily Kos has been just $9.44. These donations may seem small, but they're a big deal to us. In fact, they are our largest source of income. We literally couldn't do the work we do without them. Can you join thousands of other Daily Kos readers and help us with a donation of $9.44 right now? [Donate $9.44]( If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. 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