Dear RUN,

Prison causes homelessness. That’s why RUN members were so excited to make AB 328 one of our two priority bills this year. After decades of abolitionist organizing, two prisons are set to close in California soon, and AB 328 would use money from those prisons to fund housing for people who’ve been incarcerated.

To make sure AB 328 gets through the Appropriations Committee this month, we’re joining others across the state for a day of action on May 12 - that’s this Wednesday. The best way to take action is to join our Community Care call at 1pm, where we’ll do a phone zap from all over the state.

If you can’t join us on the call, which is open to anyone, you can follow the hashtags #AB328 and #housednothandcuffed on social media on Wednesday. But the power of RUN is undeniable when we’re all together, so we’d love to see you on Zoom at 1pm on Wednesday.

Registration is also open for RUN Summer Marathoners: Homelessness Advocacy Training Series, which will level up your skills as you advocate to end homelessness - and help you inspire others to get involved. Register here.

Did you see? Keynote speakers for the 2021 Housing California un-conference include former mayor of Stockton Michael Tubbs and author Heather McGhee, announced last week. Registration is free for RUN members, and it’s all virtual. Register here. (When you go to the link, it is a little confusing. Click “pay by credit card” and then click the plus sign where it says FULL CONFERENCE - Residents United Network (RUN) Leaders and you won’t have to pay by credit card.)

Take good care,

Tori

Connect with RUN

• Join us for the big day of action on AB 328 on Wednesday at our Community Care call at 1pm. Did you know these calls are open to anyone? Please invite anyone who you know who’s especially interested in getting housing for people who have been incarcerated. Here’s the link, and you can also dial in at 669 900 6833, meeting ID 977 6290 7497.
• We’re hosting a series of three trainings that will level up your skills as you advocate to end homelessness - and help you inspire others to get involved. Register today to become a RUN Summer Marathoner, joining us for one training a month in May, June, and July in either English or Spanish. 

*This series is open to anyone in California, but people who live in affordable housing, people who have experienced homelessness, and people who’ve had a hard time paying rent will have priority registration. 

News you can use

• In unexpected news, two-thirds of Californians will get $600 from our state government because we have a surplus, and households making less than $75,000 will get even more.