The National Alliance to End Homelessness stands in solidarity with all parties fighting to end pervasive structural racism in the United States. The recent killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and Breonna Taylor reinforce a terrible legacy of systematic racism, racial injustice, and senseless violence inflicted against African Americans. It is time now that we all stand up in opposition to such oppression.
The vast racial disparities in both homelessness and the impacts of the coronavirus are also stark examples of this historic inequity. They are perpetuated by structural racism throughout our society, ranging from criminal justice, access to healthcare, employment, economic opportunity, and education, to virtually every aspect of American life. Collectively, these disparities reflect an unacceptable indifference to the humanity of African Americans – an indifference that prevents the policy changes that the nation so clearly needs.
Racial inequity causes homelessness. As part of its mission to prevent and end homelessness in the United States, the National Alliance to End Homelessness re-commits itself to the goals of ending racial disparities in the homelessness sector, and confronting structural racism in our nation. The Alliance is dedicated to these efforts: it pledges to continue prioritizing new tools, resources, and research on racial equity and homelessness to help advance the field in this work. It promises to continue collaborating with organizations that are leading equity efforts. And it vows to make the necessary investments in equity structure and training within our own organization.
This gross injustice must end.