Housing NOW! National Day of Action

YES to Housing and Healthcare, NO to Jail and Fines

Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that communities can arrest and ticket people for living outside, and, one year later, over 150 cities have passed laws making it illegal to be homeless without addressing the dire lack of affordable housing that causes homelessness.

On April 22, 2025, thousands of advocates will rally nationwide, and in Washington DC at the Capitol, to demand Housing NOW! We know what ends homelessness, and we will call on our elected officials to reject budget cuts that only worsen the crisis and stand against fines and mistreatment of the homeless. At the rally, organizers will share personal experiences and tools that are tested and proven to end homelessness, which include (links TBA):

NCH 10-Point Plan to End Homelessness Without Criminalizing the Poor A comprehensive framework aimed at state and local governments to solve the housing crisis, and address the needs of those struggling on the streets.
Gloria Johnson Bill Federal legislation that aims to protect the civil rights of those who are forced to live unhoused.
Federal Policy One-Pagers A suite of policy briefs developed by the top minds in national housing policy.
Report: From Crisis to Care: Addressing Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness through Health and Supportive Services

The rally will bring light to the injustices faced by the unhoused and urge elected officials to listen to constituents by adopting the toolkit as a clear path to real lasting change. These resources offer proven solutions to end homelessness, alleviate poverty, and guarantee housing for all. Now, it’s time for policymakers to act. We demand, Housing NOW!

If you’d like to host your own event, fill out the registration form to be featured on the official Housing NOW! National Day of Action website. Click the button below to get involved!

Register Today

We want to hear from you!

Housing insecurity affects millions, and your voice matters. Whether you’re experiencing homelessness, living in a shelter, or struggling to afford rent, we want to share your story. Housing impacts us all, and by speaking out, we can demand real change. Your experiences will be amplified to show how the housing crisis is devastating lives—and why we need Housing NOW.

How to Participate:

Submit a written story using the button below. Answer this question: How is housing impacting you?
Share a video on Instagram or TikTok—tag @nationalhomeless and use #HousingNowto be heard.

Thank you for raising your voice and taking action!

Submit Story

Background: Last April 22nd, groups fighting to end homelessness held “Housing Not Handcuffs” rallies and actions in DC and cities across the country during the “Grants Pass” Supreme Court case. The Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution does not protect the poor and homeless against the cruel and unusual punishment of being ticketed or arrested even when they have no choice but to sleep outside. Since the decision, over 150 cities have passed laws that make it illegal to be homeless and laws and budget cuts that will make homelessness worse are spreading.

This year, federal budget cuts will leave more people poor, homeless and sick; and laws that make it illegal to be homeless means more people will be arrested for trying to survive. More and more people struggle to pay rent and more and more people are becoming homeless. Instead of focusing on real solutions like housing and services, Donald Trump, Congress, and their billionaire cronies are pushing budget cuts AND criminalization, while cutting their taxes for the rich and increasing their power.

The real solution to homelessness is housing, along with care and services for those struggling with unmet needs. But instead of funding what works, Donald Trump and Congress are proposing massive budget cuts that will make more people homeless, poor, and sick. At the same time, they are spreading laws that make it illegal to be poor and homeless, which will lead to increased ticketing, incarcerating, and institutionalizing of people struggling to survive.

It does not have to be this way. Nobody should be homeless or poor in a country as rich as ours. Advocates in DC and around the country will join together on April 22nd to demand Housing NOW!