Homes Not Jails - History

History

Homes Not Jails began in 1992 in the wave of homeless activist groups that began nationwide following the economic recession of the 1980s. In addition to traditional homeless advocacy, Homes Not Jails has used squatting as a tactic since its first public takeover. The group began in fall of 1992 with the takeover of a building at 90 Golden Gate Avenue in the Tenderloin district. On Thanksgiving Day, shortly after this first occupation, the group held a rally and marched to another building at 250 Taylor street, and publicly occupied it. There were originally about 30 members. Homes Not Jails has had extensive media coverage of its advocacy in support of affordable housing, its covert housing of people in vacant buildings, and its protection of buildings slated for demolition.

In 2007 in California Homes Not Jails pushed for passage of a state bill, SB464, which would discourage housing speculation by requiring a five year ownership before property owners can evict tenants under the Ellis Act and give all tenants a year to find new housing if a senior or disabled person resides in the building.

In 1999, Homes Not Jails tried to claim ownership of a vacant house at 715 Page St. in San Francisco. Homes Not Jails contended that squatters had occupied the building for five years and the organization paid more than $5,000 in back property taxes in order to claim adverse possession of the building. Homes Not Jails was denied ownership, because it unable to prove continuous occupation for the previous five years.

San Francisco Supervisor Angela Alioto introduced legislation in 2004 sponsored by Homes Not Jails that would allow the city to seize abandoned buildings and give them to nonprofit housing groups; these could employ homeless people to repair and live in them.

January 25, 1997 Members of Homes Not Jails in Boston MA, occupied a long vacant building called "The Alexandria Hotel" a 110 year old building that was previously used as a bachelors boarding house. The locks had previously been replaced with members own locks and a march was planned. At one o'clock when the march arrived at the unoccupied building the Homes Not Jails members unlocked the gates and held a symbolic "open house" for the invited homeless. Police arrested and charged seven activists with trespassing and breaking and entering.

January 18, 2001 homeless advocates, including members of Homes Not Jails, D.C., the Homeless Association and other organizations hung from an empty HUD-owned home a banner that reads, "HOUSING FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT." Activists also carried cardboard coffins to the home, located at 3602 New Hampshire Ave. in Washington D.C., stacked them there, and hung a second banner that says, "OUR PEOPLE FREEZE OUTSIDE EMPTY HUD HOUSES".

On Saturday, April 7, 2007 at the 24th Street BART Station Homes Not Jails, with the San Francisco Tenants Union, the San Francisco Peoples’ Organization, the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, Religious Witness with Homeless People, St. Peter’s Housing Committee, some other organizations and approximately 150 housing activists, protested Ellis Act evictions with a march and building occupation in downtown San Francisco. Supporters attempted to supply the occupiers with food and water, but police confiscated the rope and bucket being used and detained any supporters attempting to supply the occupiers.