STAND for housing Province wide!

STANDS WILL HAPPEN ACROSS BC!!! MAY 3RD!!!

Province –Wide STAND for Housing

Saturday, May 3, 1:00-2:00 pm

Will you STAND WITH US in your community?

Or join us at 1st and commercial!!! With homelessnation

Homelessness - a crisis in our province:

More than 10,000 homeless people in our province.
Affordable rental housing disappears while land prices soar and land speculation increases in every community in BC.
No federal social housing program since 1993.
Welfare rates do not meet basic needs: single rental accommodation for $375 is non-existent in Vancouver.
Minimum wage does not pay rent.

It is shameful that thousands in our province are homeless and dying in our streets, parks and alleys and that many more are one step away from homelessness. The problem affects more people than those with mental health and addiction issues. The lack of affordable housing impacts seniors, youth and low-income workers. Immediate action is needed.

What is needed?

Instead of continuing to depend on “market forces” to solve housing concerns, all levels of government must take action to build housing.

We need:

· A permanent, national social housing program.

· A comprehensive, provincial housing program that works with municipalities and communities to build affordable housing for people at all income levels.

· Public land for non-market housing – no sale of public land to private interests.

· Improved access to social assistance, increased welfare rates and a higher minimum wage.

Both the federal and provincial governments have budget surpluses. Construction of homes for all can start now. There is no excuse for delay.

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For STAND materials contact : CALMhousing@hotmail.com

For STAND locations: http://www.my-calm.info/

For any more information: raok_vancouver@hotmail.com

What is a STAND?

The idea of a STAND is based on the example of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, an association of Argentine mothers whose children “disappeared” under the military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983. They stood in a city square every week for years and their white scarves became an international brand for peaceful protests.

The first STAND in Vancouver was at Little Mountain Housing Complex. The needless destruction of this highly successful community is a symbol of everything that is wrong with the government’s housing strategy. The publicly owned site is being sold to be redeveloped with no increase in the number of social housing units. The tenants have been disrespected and displaced, 224 homes will be destroyed years before the reconstruction begins. While thousands in Vancouver are homeless, more than 170 homes now sit empty at Little Mountain. Community Advocates for Little Mountain (CALM) have held a STAND every Saturday since October, 2007 to protest this scandalous situation and support the remaining tenants.

Since February 23, 2008 the Citywide Housing Coalition expanded the STANDS and they have been held in fifteen locations throughout Vancouver. Standing on busy street corners with colourful banners and scarves has attracted lots of media attention. The idea caught on and we continue to grow!

THE TIME HAS COME FOR PROVINCE-WIDE STANDS

SATURDAY, May 3, 1-2pm

For the cost of materials ($25), we are providing STAND kits—a large turquoise banner saying “Homes for All”, eight turquoise scarves, and leaflets explaining the housing crisis in our province. All you need is a handful of people willing to STAND for one hour a week—Saturdays at 1:00 pm. Whether or not you continue to meet every Saturday is up to you. We will form a network to communicate about our next action.

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead

For STAND materials contact : CALMhousing@hotmail.com

For STAND locations: http://www.my-calm.info/

For anymore information: raok_vancouver@hotmail.com

STANDing in solidarity: Lauren Gill ~*~Peace love and om~*~