Who Speaks for Me (WSFM), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides women and LGBTQ+ people exiting incarceration with programs and services to support long-term housing stability, is hosting a fundraising webinar for its Housing for All initiative on September 12 at 6pm ET. Register for the webinar here.
For people who have been incarcerated, affordable, accessible housing is key for successful reentry. However, a criminal record poses an immense barrier to housing access, in both the private market and in many federally subsidized housing programs. As a result of these barriers, an estimated 15% of people exiting incarceration experience homelessness at some point within their first year of release. Bias in the criminal-legal system, housing, and employment has led to the overrepresentation of people of color – in particular Black, Latino, and Native people – as well as people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community, among those experiencing incarceration and homelessness. As some communities move to criminalize people experiencing homelessness for engaging in life-sustaining activities, like sleeping, in public spaces, the inability to access housing locks people in a cycle of incarceration, homelessness, and reincarceration that furthers inequities.
WSFM’s Housing for All (HFA) initiative is a pilot program that provides women and LGBTQ+ returning citizens with low- or no-cost individual apartments. HFA participants receive monthly rent and cell phone subsidies, a weekly stipend, and wrap-around services including leadership development, financial literacy, and job readiness to support the success and self-sufficiency of participants.
The virtual panel discussion and fundraiser will feature WSFM founder Taylar Nuevelle, as well as content matter experts and clients of the HFA program. Register for the webinar here.