Help us save NJNP Collective Housing
Donation protected
NJNP Collective Housing (NCH) has been a vital resource to DC's Trans & Queer Community and the larger Sex Worker Activist network within the DC Area. Started by No Justice No Pride in 2018 — in the wake of the passage of FOSTA/SESTA — to ensure safe housing for Black and Brown Trans People, particularly, for those currently or formerly engaged in sex work.
Since 2018 NJNP’s houses have grown to be one of the largest resources of LGBT housing in the city and the only organizations in the Washington DC Metro area providing dedicated housing support to Black and Brown Transgender adults over the age of 24.
Despite NJNP members multiple attempts to communicate with the property owner on their intentions on buying the property, to not only be able to continue living at but in addition continue providing critically needed but severely under resourced work to save the lives of DC’s most vulnerable; NJNP members has been met with persistent resentment and road blocks. To start, at the beginning February 2020 - NJNP members were informed by the property owner that a real estate agent would be visiting the property. A NJNP Member immediately informed the landlord that if they were planning to sell the property that they had every intention of buying it. They were assured by the property owner not to worry and that NJNP folks would be first to know if the property owner was planning on selling. Instead members of No Justice No Pride found the listing for 5810 8th ST NW, one of NJNP’s beloved and longest held properties; listed for sale on Trulia and Zillow on the evening of February 16th.
It wasn’t until the next day, February 17th; when the property owner sent a text informing one of our members (who doesn’t even reside at 8th Street) did we receive any formal notice of intent to sell, note they claim the official form of notice is in the mail. This was followed by an email to NJNP members later in the day. It is a quick sale, meaning no offers will be accepted after 12pm on Monday, February 22. From it’s inception this process was meant to catch NJNP folks off-guard making it unlikely that NJNP would have enough time to seek help from attorneys, realtors, and lenders in time to save the home. This predatory behavior is meant to displace working class Black Trans folks, and the property owner is starting with our elders who are the very foundation of our community, the glue to so much healing and resistance; and scramble to do what we can to make an offer on the home and figure out how we can save the other two; we are not just asking the community to show up and support we need the community to demand accountability, justice and to help us save these homes.
Among so many other ways we are asking the community to help, one immediate way is to share this gofundme and help us raise enough funds to make an offer by Monday 2/20 12pm EST.
Updates and more ways to support will be posted as updates to this gofundme.
You can find out more about NJNP's housing project here: https://njnp.house
Since 2018 NJNP’s houses have grown to be one of the largest resources of LGBT housing in the city and the only organizations in the Washington DC Metro area providing dedicated housing support to Black and Brown Transgender adults over the age of 24.
Despite NJNP members multiple attempts to communicate with the property owner on their intentions on buying the property, to not only be able to continue living at but in addition continue providing critically needed but severely under resourced work to save the lives of DC’s most vulnerable; NJNP members has been met with persistent resentment and road blocks. To start, at the beginning February 2020 - NJNP members were informed by the property owner that a real estate agent would be visiting the property. A NJNP Member immediately informed the landlord that if they were planning to sell the property that they had every intention of buying it. They were assured by the property owner not to worry and that NJNP folks would be first to know if the property owner was planning on selling. Instead members of No Justice No Pride found the listing for 5810 8th ST NW, one of NJNP’s beloved and longest held properties; listed for sale on Trulia and Zillow on the evening of February 16th.
It wasn’t until the next day, February 17th; when the property owner sent a text informing one of our members (who doesn’t even reside at 8th Street) did we receive any formal notice of intent to sell, note they claim the official form of notice is in the mail. This was followed by an email to NJNP members later in the day. It is a quick sale, meaning no offers will be accepted after 12pm on Monday, February 22. From it’s inception this process was meant to catch NJNP folks off-guard making it unlikely that NJNP would have enough time to seek help from attorneys, realtors, and lenders in time to save the home. This predatory behavior is meant to displace working class Black Trans folks, and the property owner is starting with our elders who are the very foundation of our community, the glue to so much healing and resistance; and scramble to do what we can to make an offer on the home and figure out how we can save the other two; we are not just asking the community to show up and support we need the community to demand accountability, justice and to help us save these homes.
Among so many other ways we are asking the community to help, one immediate way is to share this gofundme and help us raise enough funds to make an offer by Monday 2/20 12pm EST.
Updates and more ways to support will be posted as updates to this gofundme.
You can find out more about NJNP's housing project here: https://njnp.house
Organizer and beneficiary
Emmelia Ruiz Talarico
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Tamika Spellman
Beneficiary