Resources

Understanding racial disparities and homelessness

Learn how to advocate for and administer anti-racist policies related to health care and housing.

• Review statistics collected by The National Alliance to End Homelessness that show how communities of color, especially Black Americans and Indigenous people, experience homelessness at a much higher rate than White Americans.
• Learn about the harm caused by colorblind policies related to health care and housing.
• Read about the value of offering racially and culturally explicit services in a 2021 report by The National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
• Raise awareness about the San Diego Black Homebuyers Program (SDBHP), a down payment assistance grant program that aims to eradicate the racial wealth gap in San Diego County through investment in wealth-building opportunity through Black homeownership.

BIPOC communities need equitable access to HIV/AIDS healthcare

Follow and support these organizations advocating for equitable access to HIV/AIDS resources, therapies, and information.

• Black AIDS Institute (BAI) is dedicated to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Black community.
• Black Health champions the promotion of health and prevention of diseases to reduce disparities and achieve equity within the Black community.
• The Black Women’s Health Imperative leads efforts to solve the most pressing health issues that affect Black women and girls in the U.S., developing such programs such as “HIV & Me” and strategies like their 2019 HIV/AIDS Policy Agenda for Black Women.
• The Counter Narrative shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives.
• The National Black Justice Coalition aims to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma.
• Neighborhood House Association provides a wide array of services geared on helping underserved individuals and communities.
• SisterLove, Inc. educates women about HIV prevention, self-help, and healthy love, as well as advocates for policies that center Reproductive Justice.
• Thrive SS improves health equity for Black gay men living with HIV through direct support, advocacy, and building collective power.
• Us Helping Us works tirelessly to achieve health equity for underserved and marginalized populations.

Understanding the state of homelessness

Did you know that the United Nations considers adequate housing a human right?

Despite this declaration, more than 15,600 people died in the United States while experiencing homelessness in 2020, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).

Thankfully, there are ways you can help put an end to homelessness! Start by gaining an understanding of the state of homelessness in San Diego, the nation, and the world:

• Learn about Housing First – San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission’s Homelessness Action Plan.
• Find out how you can take action and advocate for the unsheltered on a federal level by visiting the USICH website.
• Read the United Nations’ Fact Sheet 21 on The Human Right to Adequate Housing.

Townspeople is committed to providing information to those in need. Below are some resources you may find helpful.

211 offers a free, 24 hour, confidential phone service in 200+ languages and a searchable online database. They work with the County and other local resources to connect people to community-wide services focusing on health, food, housing, disaster, veterans, and other specialized needs. Call 211 from your phone or visit http://211sandiego.org

Feeding America offers food to those in need. For more information click here. You may also see below to see our list of meal distribution sites.

Get Help: Rent, Food, and Utility Assistance

Unions United helps families struggling to make ends meet during emergency situations. Through this partnership, Unions United can help with rent and mortgage assistance, food, and utilities. For an appointment, call (619) 641-0074.