Dear RUN,

We’re kind of a unique organization. Unlike a lot of advocacy groups, we don’t represent one single population. Most RUN members are residents of affordable housing, sure, but some live in supportive housing, others in farmworker housing, and still others live in regular old rentals. Some of us have experience with homelessness, others do not.

That means it’s extra important that we find ways to come together - and make sure we don’t fall victim to the ways our opponents will try to divide us. There is too much at stake. It is too important that we succeed, because we want everyone in California to have a safe, stable, affordable place to live.

Last week, in announcing his revised budget on homelessness, the Governor declared that the state was “too damn dirty.” That’s an unacceptable way to refer to our unhoused neighbors, even if it was indirect, and it’s exactly what we’re trying to stop.

If you’re interested in how to recognize bias against our unhoused neighbors - even when it’s coming from close friends, or, sometimes, within ourselves! - and how to push back in a unified, powerful way, that will be the focus of next week’s first training in our RUN Summer Marathoners series. Register here.

Have you been unhoused at some point in your life and frustrated with *all of this* antagonism towards unhoused Californians? We want you to help lead this training. Email us back, and we’ll call you this week.

Take good care,

Tori

Connect with RUN

• Join us on Wednesday for our regular Community Care call at 1pm. Did you know these calls are open to anyone? Here’s the link, and you can also dial in at 669 900 6833, meeting ID 977 6290 7497.
• 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.
• Do you live in the Inland Empire? You’re invited to a RUN Power Hour training series, every Thursday in June from 2-3pm! Register here.

News you can use

• “People have always had issues with housing, but now it’s hit the white middle class...And now that it’s not working for them, it’s becoming an issue.” Read an in-depth look at equity in housing in California from Manuela Tobias CalMatters.