Techo

As an organization we are aware of the historic injustices against our communities, and so we grow our community participation to support our community’s struggles for dignified work, land, shelter, food, health, education, independence, freedom, democracy, justice and peace.

Derecho a la vivienda, Housing Rights:

As the city’s housing crisis is exacerbated due to the pandemic and economic hardships, el Centro’s housing organizing now counts with 50 members who assist our trainings and meetings. This group is part of el Centro’s work in ensuring we have a responsive base participating in local organizing around housing and land issues in Santa Ana, for example, when we are called to speak in front of city council.

El Centro also forms part of TUSA, or Tenants United Santa Ana, citywide coalition of tenants and community organizations fighting for dignified housing where we can remain and thrive collectively while reclaiming our humanity.

Some of the most urgent work has been providing support for renters who are at risk of eviction and the dissemination of know your rights trainings around the clock. In addition, relief efforts have provided the opportunity to build with hundreds of community members connected to el Centro who are facing housing insecurity. We also form part of the Rights to the City Alliance and Homes for All. Please click below for more information on Home for All.

#SomosTodxs

El Centro recognizes that we live in a time where more people are homeless than ever before, due to skyrocketing rents, evictions, criminalization, and a lack of mental health resources.  Centro’s growth as a community space occurs in this context, at the intersection of many struggles for space and dignified existence.  This includes the struggle of local neighbors, youth, immigrant families, and diverse low-income communities who are searching for shelter and safety-- all facing systemic criminalization, disinvestment, and displacement in Santa Ana. Centro’s mission of building community space must consider these intersections, and invite our community to work together.  

This work includes a stance against calling the police when people are searching for shelter and safety has also led to building collaborations with organizations like the ELDR center, the Catholic Worker, and Wound Walk, and working to dispel community myths about individuals faced with the lack of housing in our city.

Please share the graphics below with your community (available in both Spanish and English).