October Community Forum on Housing Justice

c1103883_sIf you are interested in learning more about housing and homelessness in our area, you are welcome to attend the October forum on housing. Tuesday evenings in October will host a three-part community forum on housing justice sponsored by the Adult Education Committee. Each session will address a different aspect of homelessness. These forums will occur throughout the month, Tuesdays, Oct. 11th, 18th, & 25th7:00 – 8:30 PM in the Southminster Sanctuary–Bring your friends!

Here is the schedule:

Oct. 11: What is it like to be on the front lines of housing justice?
-Dr. Charles Currie, community leader and professor at Pacific University, will speak about current problems and the need for policy changes.
Chloe Eudaly is running for Portland City Council. She is a housing justice activist who through her on-line discussion group “The Shed”, interacts daily with people who suffer from the metro’s housing crisis.
-Margot Black is one of the founders of Portland Tenants United. Its current campaign #KeepPDXHoused is focused on achieving rent stabilizations and a moratorium on no cause evictions.

Oct. 18: What does it mean to be homeless?
-The evening will begin with a viewing of the 2016 documentary film On the Ground which was produced by Sisters of the Road.
-Annie Heart of Family Promise, a nonprofit organization that provides food, shelter, and other services to homeless families here in Washington County, and Jack Schwab director of the Good Neighbor Center will then coordinate a panel discussion of people who have experienced homelessness.

Oct. 25: What is being done about the housing crisis in Washington County?
-Annette Evans, Homeless Program Coordinator for Washington County, will explain the Housing First program and other efforts being made in the Beaverton area to address issues of housing justice.
-Lisa Mentesana, Homeless Education Liaison for the Beaverton School District and Al Schmidt, Director of Community Outreach for Holy Trinity Catholic Church, will discuss their efforts to create a day center for the homeless.
-Bridget Calfee director of the non-profit organization Home Plate will explain the importance of community partnerships in meeting the needs of our homeless neighbors.
-Lynn Hager, Portland State University student and Portland Tenants United organizer will speak about the mass displacement of low and middle income residents not only in Portland but in the suburbs including Washington County.

How we deal with the epidemic of want and homelessness in our country is one of the most vital social and ethical issues of our time. These series of forums will be an opportunity for the entire community to learn, share stories, build coalitions, and organize for housing justice. This event is free and open to the public.