What is Bring America Home NOW (BAHN)? Spearheaded by the National Coalition for the Homeless, Bring America Home NOW (BAHN) is a Comprehensive Grassroots Campaign to End Homelessness in the United States. Led by people who have lived experiences with homelessness, BAHN focuses on the passage of federal legislation aimed at addressing the interconnected solutions to the decades-long epidemic of homelessness in the U.S.
What Is The Focus? BAHN has 6 major policy pillars that focus our movement’s fight to end homelessness. Each of these pillars have short term and long term policy focuses. As our movement progresses, BAHN will be updating and adding to our political focus areas as we push legislation on a national and local level.
Housing
Housing is a basic human right that should be available to all Americans.
Health
Health and homelessness are inextricably linked: a safe, stable home is the prerequisite of health and well-being. Adequate income is essential to maintain housing. To end homelessness, we must ensure livable wages and basic income for all Americans and link income to the local cost of housing.
Livable Income
Adequate income is essential to maintain housing. To end homelessness, we must ensure livable wages and basic income for all Americans and link income to the local cost of housing.
Education/Training
Education and training play a critical role for many children, youth, and adults towards equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for economic stability.
Civil Rights
Homelessness is a civil rights issue. People experiencing homelessness are too often victims of hate crimes. Homelessness disproportionately impacts people of color and LGBTQ people, who face more discrimination and barriers to jobs and housing than their counterparts.
Racial Equity
Homelessness is inextricably linked to systemic racism. Racial equity must be prioritized in our work to end and prevent homelessness.
Our national partners are advocates from all around the country, sharing insight on state and citywide struggles that heavily influence our national political pillar focuses. As a movement, we incorporate local struggles into the national discussion as a comprehensive grassroots movement to end homelessness.
Call To Collaborative Action:
We are reaching out to the public and partners to join us in our campaign to end homelessness through a comprehensive, multifaceted push for increased public awareness and successful legislation. We especially seek involvement from organizations led by people who have themselves experienced homelessness. Sign On: https://p2a.co/v3r4bsh
What Is the BAHN Campaign Doing To Advance The Mission and Vision of Ending Homelessness?
In addition to our six policy focus, the Bring America Home NOW Campaign is advancing its campaign goals by employing direct action and public mobilization strategies that are deep rooted in the civil rights movement. Civil disobedience (peaceful) and impactful.
Bring America Home NOW: 2024-2025 Campaign Direct Actions Needing Your Involvement
Johnson V. Grants Pass (Supreme Court Of The United States Case)
What?: SCOTUS Case- Push the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the right
When?: Apr 22, 2024
Where?: Nationwide (with focus in DC at the Supreme Court)
Why?: To push the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the rights of people forced to live outdoors. “Communities are safer and stronger when everyone is housed.” Crimiali
Partners: National Homelessness Law Center and More
Links: https://johnsonvgrantspass.com/ .
Take Off The Boards Campaign
What?: Take Off The Boards
When?: May 1, 2024(Michael Stoops Day of Action) tentatively
Where?: Nationwide- At least 50 communities across the nation in blue and red states hold local actions.
Why?: Get people housed by identifying and using existing vacant buildings.
Partners: Homeless Union, Homeless Army/PPEHRC
Links: Take Over: The DocumentaryIn-Depth Action Planning Document
National Sleep-Out Campaign
What?: National Sleep-Out
When?: Week of July 28, 2024
Where?: Nationwide- At least 50 communities across the nation in blue and red states will hold local actions (Mayor office, city hall, state parks…)
Why?: Independence from unsheltered homelessness. We must use all McKinney-Vento Funds for people experiencing homelessness now. Move PSH renewals to mainstream Section 8/voucher programs
Partners: BAHN Partners and NCH Members
Links:https://www.bringamericahomenow.org/
National Homeless Army March On Conventions
What?: March On RNC and DNC Conventions
When?: RNC Rally July 15, 2024 and DNC Rally August 19, 2024
Where?: Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL
Why?: Rallies at Democratic and Republican National Conventions, March between Milwaukee and Chicago to put a spotlight on homelessness crisis in America.
Partners: Poor People’s Army
Links:https://www.poorpeoplesarmymarch.com/
Election Prep-Scorecard & Get Out The Vote
What?: Ongoing actions related to 2024 Election
When?: September 2024, Week of September 23, 2024, November 5, 2024
Where?: Nationwide
Why?: Ensure true representation of the community of people who are marginalized by poverty, race, or homelessness. Publish a scorecard on elected officials actions around ending homelessness. Hold registration events, assist voters in casting their votes on or before election day.
Partners: BAHN Partners and NCH Members
Links:https://www.bringamericahomenow.org/
National Homelessness Leadership Conference
What?: Leadership Conference
When?: November 2024, Week between elections and Hunger & Homelessness Memorial Week
Where?: Northern CA, likely San Jose area
Why?: Opportunity to hear from people with lived experience and those experiencing homelessness.Bringing the movement together. We held a conference in DC and now we want to hold an event that will be more accessible to advocates nearer to the West coast.
Partners: Destination Home
Links:Destination Home’s Website
National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
What?: Fundraising Gatherings
When?: November 16-24, 2024
Where?: Nationwide
Why?: Inform community members,advocates and providers about BAHN and that BAHN provides a framework to prevent and end homelessness.
Partners: BAHN Partners and NCH Members
Links:Hunger & Homelessness Week Website
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day
What?: Annual Memorial event
When?: December 21, 2024
Where?: Nationwide (Virtually)
Why?: To remember people who lost their lives because of homelessness and to put the spotlight on the urgent need to address the broken system that leads to homelessness and death.
Partners: National Healthcare for the Homeless Council
Links:NCH Memorial Day Webpage 2020 Video of Names
National March In DC
What?: Mass Demonstration to Bring America Home NOW
When?: May 2025
Where?: Washington, DC
Why?: Create impact within the first 100 days of the new administration and Congress by demanding an end to Homelessness. Ensure equity in housing resources for people with limited incomes as homeowners.
Partners: Homeless Union, Poor People’s Army, BAHN Partners and NCH Members
Links:https://www.bringamericahomenow.org/
Join us in the transformative movement of Bring America Home NOW!
This grassroots campaign is fueled by the belief that together, we can enact real change. By becoming a partner in this vital endeavor, you’ll be joining forces with a community dedicated to making a meaningful difference. Sign up today and stand with us in our mission to Bring America Home NOW. Together, we possess the power to create a brighter future for all. Sign On: https://p2a.co/v3r4bsh
