New York's housing crisis & what you can do

[Maya](#) {NAME}, Right now, city officials are going back and forth about relocating people without homes from the Lucerne Hotel on the Upper West Side. The residents were placed there to allow more social distancing in shelters during the pandemic. But the Mayor's office seems intent on bowing to the sensationalist and dehumanizing fears of the few -- holding the threat of displacement over the heads of these residents without a plan. New Yorkers stick together, which is why I'm so moved to see the Upper West Side Open Hearts Initiative take action to partner with the men housed at the Lucerne and other shelters. They know that our communities are strongest when we come together to build relationships and a common purpose, no matter what our differences may be. The Upper West Side Open Hearts Initiative was founded to directly support and advocate for people without homes, like those at the Lucerne, living in temporary shelters in hotels on the Upper West Side. Its members and volunteers have partnered to run voter registration drives and free stores to provide much-needed clothing and supplies to those who are in need. They have also partnered with local nonprofits to provide necessary services for residents, and even help them find jobs. Margaret Mead once said to “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world…” the UWS Open Hearts Initiative is proof positive. But they can’t do this alone. [Will you check out the Upper West Side Open Hearts Initiative and learn about how they're protecting NYC residents experiencing homelessness?]( Now, this is not a new problem. Housing is a human right, and in NYC, we've fallen down on the job -- which was made worse by the COVID-19 crisis. We have to reimagine NYC and protect our most vulnerable populations. We need to make sure that all of our residents can live in housing with dignity. We can't allow people experiencing homelessness and extremely low-income New Yorkers to be squeezed out of this place we all call home. I'm ready to tackle this problem, and as your Mayor, I'll be ready to take on the system that got us here. Thank you, Maya We're building a movement by and for the people of NYC. Thanks to New York City's matching funds program, contributions up to $250 from NYC residents are generally matched 8-1 by the city. That means a $5 contribution becomes $40 or $50 becomes $400. No amount is too small. Rush a donation today. [DONATE]( Paid for by Maya for Mayor, Inc Maya Wiley 1155 6th Ave, Floor 22 New York, NY 10036 United States We'd hate to see you go, but if you need to do so, [unsubscribe]( here. State law prohibits making a contribution in someone else’s name, reimbursing someone for a contribution made in your name, being reimbursed for a contribution made in your name, or claiming to have made a contribution when a loan is made.