On November 16th, 2024 Voices 4 Unhoused Liberation disrupted the Homes First Ruby Gala - its major yearly fundraising event
V4UL and the Delta community have been trying to tell the City and Toronto Shelter Supports and Service officials that kicking people out of the shelter is traumatizing, destabilizing, and harmful to unhoused people.
Currently, the Delta is experiencing a mass eviction as the Hotel Shelter closes and is returned to private use.
There has been little to no actual housing supports for many shelter residents. There is not enough accessible rgi housing due to city inaction, there are not enough shelter spaces, and the ones that exist are unsafe for many people in the system.
Shelter residents are subject to a culture of abuse from both society at large and by the shelter system in particular.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Homes First CEO got up at the event and gave speeches full of lies about all the good work they are doing.
Residents of shelters beg to differ. V4UL brought a reality check to to their event. We disrupted the event and handed out postcards with Delta residents critique and demands.
It’s the politicians, developers, corporate Toronto, gentrifiers, and citizens who have refused to address the injustices of poverty and homelessness in this city!!
NoHomelessEvictions!!!
V4UL has been planning this disruption with Delta residents since the Summer.
V4UL has built community with Delta residents.
Listened and done case-work around complaints and service restrictions and developed demands.
Together, we have alerted city council about the issues that people are facing. We have met with city councillors, shelter managers, and the head of the TSSS, Gord Tanner. We have given deputations at City Hall.
We have occupied offices, held a sleep over at City Hall, organized a community bbq and open mic in Nathan Philips Square.
This series of actions represent V4UL’s strategy of slow build towards escalating actions.
FUNDING NEED!!
V4UL has been applying to various organizations for funding that support grass roots engagement and struggle, but have so far we have been declined.
Currently we are existing on smaller donations from private supporters which have come just in time.
V4UL is asking for a one year budget in order to continue and extend our work.
We are now appealing to you the public in hopes you may consider V4UL’s work with the unhoused community important in the anti-poverty advocacy landscape of Toronto.
We know our community members think so…
If you feel to become a regular donor sign up on our Support page.
THANK YOU ALL!!
Defund the police sleepover protest and city council budget disruption
In opposition to Olivia Chow’s 2024 budget which included an gross increase to the police budget. Police cause harm to poor and unhoused communities while they serve and protect the wealthy, corporations, and government thugs that force neoliberal devastation down our throats in their war on the poor.
We also protest Chow’s hysterical characterization of pro-Palestine protesters as anti-semites. Police have unjustly arrested and assualted Pro-Palestine protesters. Chow and the TPS support genocide and are infringing on our rights to protest.
SUNDAY, DEC 3 6PM
THE DANU SOCIAL HOUSE
1237 Queen St W
* Masking is strongly recommended
Surgical masks, N95’s and hand sanitizer available at the door.