NEPA Homeless Union SPEAK OUT!

On Friday, July 11th from 2 – 4 PM the Northeast PA Chapter on the National Union of the Homeless, along with the Nonviolent Medicaid Army and Put People First! PA held a SPEAK OUT about the impact that the closing of Keystone Mission’s shelters will have on our community. The speak out took place in front of Wilkes Barre City Hall on Friday, July 11th from 2-4pm.

The action received earned media from TWO outlets. Read Coverage here:

Fox 56 – Advocates urge action as Keystone Mission closes in Wilkes-Barre

Citizens Voice – Housing advocates protest in Wilkes-Barre after shelter closure

Community members demanded that local elected officials work directly with the unhoused to find solutions to this housing crisis in light of the recent announcement of the closure of 2 critical Keystone Mission homeless shelters. Meanwhile PA SB780, currently moving through the Pennsylvania House, would force local governments to criminalize homelessness.

“Where are all the people supposed to go with all these closings?” said Esther Crooke, a Wilkes-Barre resident who MCed the rally. “You claim that the homeless are outsiders, but they are not. It’s our family who grew up here. It’s our friends who lost their job. You’re looking for outside organizations to come up with the answer – no. We need YOUR answer to this crisis.”

In Pennsylvania, the total number of all people experiencing homelessness underwent a 12.2% increase between 2023 and 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The NEPA Chapter of the National Union of the Homeless is still waiting for answers to our questions:

  1. Where are all the homeless people supposed to go?
  2. What are the city’s plans to help the homeless now and moving forward?
  3. Where will funding come from now to help those of us that still need housing?
  4. When it gets cold what is going to happen to our people?

We believe #HousingIsAHumanRight #Housingishealthcare.”

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