This month we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Homeless Voices for Justice (HVJ)! Since 1995, HVJ has ensured that the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness are heard by people in power.  

Preble Street Founder Joe Kreisler knew that true change can only occur when people who are experiencing a problem are part of the solution. HVJ Advocates all have lived experience of homelessness. They listen to people in shelters, on the street, on the bus, in housing programs, and they bring that knowledge and their own knowledge to people in power, whether that’s the City Council, the state legislature, or members of the U.S. Congress. 

Over the years, their advocacy has resulted in legislation and policies improving shelters, expanding services to homeless youth, outlawing hate crimes against people experiencing homelessness, and more. Their annual vigils for the Longest Day and Longest Night of Homelessness, along with their You Don’t Need A Home to Vote Campaign, have empowered others with lived experience, while educating the public about the problems our unhoused neighbors face. 

The 30th anniversary celebration honored current and past advocates, and the spirit of “Nothing About Us Without Us.” Cheryl Harkins, an advocate with HVJ for a little over 10 years, spoke. 

“In the early 1990s, Portland experienced rising homelessness, a tightening housing market, and escalating tensions around shelter policies. Preble Street recognized that services alone could not correct systemic injustice. They helped start the Consumer Advocacy Project, HVJ’s original name. Its mission was to center voices of people with lived experience of homelessness or poverty to influence policy, civic participation, and social change. Individuals like dee Clark and Steve Huston provided a stable backbone to guide the other members… HVJ still maintains any policy decisions have to include voices of the people actually experiencing homelessness. It is our firm belief that housing and shelter is a human right, and that permanent, supportive housing is essential to end chronic homelessness.”