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Good morning from Camp Teddy! This thread is to share a series of infographics about the encampments in Philadelphia. We did not make them but we thank the person who did. Please RT/share
A short quiz on Philadelphia's current houseless encampments:
1. Is the Philadelphia Housing Authority keeping thousands of properties empty? TRUE.
They own at least 40,000 empty properties or lots while thousands of Philadelphians are in need of housing, and many thousands more are facing eviction in the coming months.
They own at least 40,000 empty properties or lots while thousands of Philadelphians are in need of housing, and many thousands more are facing eviction in the coming months.
2. Does the PHA have enough empty properties to house all the current residents of the camps, which is the camps' main demand? TRUE.
There are just over 150 residents in the camps.
There are just over 150 residents in the camps.
3. Has the PHA waitlist for low-income housing been closed for more than a decade? TRUE.
Those who got on the list before 2013 report they had been waiting 8 years or more already.
Those who got on the list before 2013 report they had been waiting 8 years or more already.
4. Did the PHA prioritize building its own new headquarters before fixing any of the thousands of vacant properties it owns and housing Philadelphians? TRUE.
The PHA spent $45 million dollars building itself a shiny new headquarters in Sharswood.
The PHA spent $45 million dollars building itself a shiny new headquarters in Sharswood.
5. Did the encampments refuse the city's offers to meet our demands? FALSE.
Our most important demand is to provide permanent housing for the houseless. The city immediately took this off the table.
Our most important demand is to provide permanent housing for the houseless. The city immediately took this off the table.
6. Do our demands "keep shifting"? FALSE.
Our demand is for permanent housing. We have a number of *proposals* for how the city can achieve that. But our non-negotiable position is the camp will only dissolve once residents have somewhere to live PERMANENTLY.
Our demand is for permanent housing. We have a number of *proposals* for how the city can achieve that. But our non-negotiable position is the camp will only dissolve once residents have somewhere to live PERMANENTLY.
7. Because a resident was stabbed, doesn't this prove that the camps are dangerous? MISLEADING.
Outside agitators had repeatedly visited the camp to assault residents. On June 28th they stabbed one of our residents, AB, and drove away.
Outside agitators had repeatedly visited the camp to assault residents. On June 28th they stabbed one of our residents, AB, and drove away.
You can support AB here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/show-up-for-anabeesti
8. Residents' needs mean that living in an encampment is "not appropriate." MISLEADING.
No one should have to be living in the camps but the city has offered no choice when shelters are not safe either. What residents need is permanent housing!
No one should have to be living in the camps but the city has offered no choice when shelters are not safe either. What residents need is permanent housing!
9. Residents are being "used" by activists. FALSE.
The camps are run by residents for residents.
The camps are run by residents for residents.
10. Do the encampments pose a COVID risk? FALSE.
Medics are providing regular COVID testing. 1 resident tested positive and was quarantined immediately, stopping spread. By contrast, *50%* of the largest men's shelter tested positive in May. (source: https://philadelphiahousingaction.info/2020/07/05/covid-19-and-shelters-july-4-2020/)
Medics are providing regular COVID testing. 1 resident tested positive and was quarantined immediately, stopping spread. By contrast, *50%* of the largest men's shelter tested positive in May. (source: https://philadelphiahousingaction.info/2020/07/05/covid-19-and-shelters-july-4-2020/)
11. Have city outreach workers been assaulted and driven out of the camps? FALSE.
No one has assaulted any outreach worker. Residents do not want them here, but they are allowed to set up across the street so anyone who wishes to talk can go meet with them.
No one has assaulted any outreach worker. Residents do not want them here, but they are allowed to set up across the street so anyone who wishes to talk can go meet with them.
12. Does the city refuse to provide permanent housing to residents and instead destroy the encampments on Friday July 17th? TRUE.
Yesterday, the city called the camps a threat to public health that must be "destroyed immediately."
Yesterday, the city called the camps a threat to public health that must be "destroyed immediately."
13. Bonus question: Will residents, with the backing of supporters, defend the encampments on Monday morning, and give a massive show of community force on Friday to defend it against eviction? TRUE!
