The Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice facilitates and promotes community-based learning and develops strategic partnerships to advance learning, promote civic engagement, and enhance community leadership in order to create a more just society.
Our Leadership in Social Justice theme on Housing Insecurity looks at the housing crisis’ relationship with the Simmons Community and provides information and programming for the members of the Simmons community to become more socially informed leaders.
This guide offers an overview of the housing crisis in Boston and housing insecurity in a national context. This topic can be incredibly broad and expansive. This guide is not intended to be a comprehensive look at the housing crisis, but instead an introduction to some of the factors leading to this crisis, initiatives happening to help alleviate houselessness, resources for those experiencing housing insecurity in our community, and ways to get involved.
How we talk about things matters and in an effort to highlight the humanity at the center of the housing crisis words like houseless, unhoused, or individual experiencing homelessness are some terms that attempt to reframe those impacted by the housing crisis.
The Blanchet House, a nonprofit organization based in Oregon, has created a glossary that details some of the vocabulary used. “Homeless, Houseless, and Unhoused: A Glossary of Terms Used to Talk about Homelessness” provides an introductory guide on how to talk about the housing crisis.
Did we miss something? Social Justice is a continuous and collaborative process. If you think we left out important voices or information - or have other resources to share email us at src@simmons.edu.