Prison is the only affordable housing our government builds

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https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2023/09/11/housing-first/ - Providing housing with embedded services can reduce chronic homelessness, reduce incarceration, and improve quality of life – especially for people experiencing substance use disorder and mental illness.

https://5calls.org/issue/deny-mass-deportation-assistance/ - This website makes it simple to contact your representatives. After inputting your city, it gives you the contact information of your representatives, background/context information on the topic, and a script you can use if you'd like.  Scroll to the "budget" and "civil rights" section to advocate for issues related to housing and incarceration.

https://indivisible.org/groups | Indivisible is a movement of more than a million members taking consistent action to resist the GOPs agenda, elect local champions, and fight for progressive policies. Input your zipcode and find groups near you to join!

https://resist.bot/ | Resistbot is a chatbot that turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes.

MoveOn is a community of grassroots activits around the country mobilizing for progressive change. The website shows multiple ways to get involved, including a map that shows upcoming events.

https://www.marketplace.org/2023/01/20/the-average-u-s-renter-now-spends-30-of-their-income-on-rent-a-new-all-time-high/ - The average renter in the U.S. now spends 30% of their income on rent, up from 23% twenty years ago, leading many to cut back on essentials and accept poorer housing conditions.

https://www.helpusa.org/housing-not-jail-is-the-solution/ - The Supreme Court's recent decision allows cities and states to criminalize sleeping in public deepening poverty, harming families, and ignoring the humanity of the over 650,000 people experiencing homelessnes.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5507072/ - This study found that formerly incarcerated individuals with a history of substance use problems would likely benefit from housing. More resources should be funnelled into programs to help formerly incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders find housing that will facilitate abstinence during community re-entry.

https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/Housing-First-Evidence.pdf - Stable housing leads to reduced substance use, improved mental health, and lower public costs.

https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2019/10/prison-profiteering - America incarcerates more people than any other country, with private businesses making billions from services like bail bonds, telecommunications, food supplies, and healthcare. Despite the clear need for criminal justice reform, the financial incentives for these businesses perpetuate the system.

https://www.urban.org/features/five-charts-explain-homelessness-jail-cycle-and-how-break-it - These five charts explain the relationship between homelessness and incarceration, showing that permanent supportive housing programs reduce jail time and lower costs related to shelter and crisis health care.