Moms 4 Housing is a group of Black mothers that knew what consequences would come for occupying a vacant house. They decided to do it anyway, as an act of civil disobedience to protest gentrification and housing inequality. Now, the latest development in this fight has shocked many.
The Oakland Police Department descended upon the home in an early morning, militarized siege to evict these mothers and children, who were simply and rightfully demanding better in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. They were removed, but they didn’t stop fighting ... and it paid off.
Their case went to court, and a judge ordered them out, but these unhoused and insecurely housed mothers have now negotiated their stay! They will be allowed to purchase the property like they wanted, after it sat vacant for YEARS under the control of a company that “flips” houses.
Black homeownership is as low as it was during segregation, when discrimination was legal. The fight in Oakland, once a much Blacker city, mirrors that of other cities, where climbing prices push our people out. Issues of poverty and homelessness are nationwide.
For now, Moms 4 Housing has shown many people a blueprint for how to fight housing inequality and gentrification in their own neighborhoods. They get to celebrate this victory, but the fight we’re all a part of is far from over!