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Roshan Abraham

33 Posts

Roshan Abraham is a journalist whose reporting on criminal justice, housing, and health has appeared in Next City, VICE, The Verge, Pacific Standard, The Village Voice, and more. He is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and a former Equitable Cities fellow.
The hands of a person in a business suit are tearing a white piece of paper in two vertically. The lower half of a man's face is blurry in the background.
Reported Article

DOGE Undermines Anti-Discrimination Protections in Housing With More Cuts

HUD is attempting to withdraw more than half of its grants to the private organizations that educate about and enforce housing-related anti-discrimination laws.

Rear view of a pony-tailed youngish woman in a plaid shirt and wearing hoop earrings facing a blank wall in front of which is a pile of moving boxes, not quite in focus.
Reported Article

HUD Funding Uncertainty Is Already Changing These People’s Lives

From a disabled supportive housing resident set to lose her apartment to homeless service providers awaiting frozen funds, those affected by HUD cutbacks tell us what’s at stake.

Louisville, Kentucky, USA skyline on the river.
Reported Article

‘Anti-Displacement Tool’ to Direct City Funding to Projects that Won’t Price Out Residents

After a years-long, tenant-led effort, Louisville will use a new tool to analyze whether a proposed housing development can meet a neighborhood’s housing needs and income levels. If it doesn’t, the city won’t subsidize it.

A young woman leans forward to address the occupant of a dome tent. The person in the tent is mostly hidden except for a knee. On the ground around the tent are food wrappers, slippers, and a newspaper.
Reported Article

HUD Staff Cuts and Grant Delays Endanger Homelessness Services

Housing advocates say they haven’t received answers about the status of $3.6 billion in funds awarded by the Biden administration to local continuums of care. Along with massive cuts planned for HUD’s staff, this means critical homelessness services are at risk.

A number of tents pitched on the buffer zone between the road and sidewalk. At least nine tents are discernible among the trees and shrubs. Photo taken in early spring; the trees are just in bud.
Reported Article

Trump Wants to Force Homeless People into ‘Tent Cities.’ Can He?

The president pushed for sweeping crackdowns and the possible internment of people experiencing homelessness. To see what’s coming, we should look to what states have already done

About 20 people of mixed ages, skin tones, some with physical disabilities, stand close together with fists upraised. They're in a parking lot or paved area with several camp trailers parked well behind them. Behind the trailers are green trees against a cloudless blue sky.
Reported Article

Encampment Residents Thought They’d Found Stability. Why Did Their Lease Fall Apart?

A lease agreement with the city of Sacramento allowed encampment residents to stay indefinitely while they sought permanent housing. When the agreement fell apart, the residents, many of whom are disabled, say they were left without an accessible place to go.

A hard-hatted firefighter is silhouetted by roaring flames behind him as he points a hose at something out of frame.
Reported Article

While California Fires Burn On, Residents Take on Rent Gouging

Residents have already seen online listings skyrocketing in price—despite laws against such hikes. With fires still raging, LA and Pasadena tenants are demanding protections against rent raises and eviction.

A group of people wearing yellow shirts with bulls on them are gathered behind a person, white with short hair and wearing a bandana, who is speaking at a podium. One of the members of the crowd has a sign with a bull that says "strike" and others hold signs with images of Sandra Thompson.
Reported Article

Time’s Running Out. Striking Kansas City Tenants Want the Government to Act.

Kansas City tenants launched a rent strike in October. With a new administration coming into office, it might be too late for a federal rent cap—but they’re still pushing for better conditions.

Reported Article

Why This Land Bank Builds Accessibly

Since 2022, all new units within the Houston Land Bank must be built to meet its accessibility standards. The organization says it’s able to do so while turning a profit.

Interview

LA Tenants Union Founders Call on Renters to Fight Back 

Tracy Rosenthal and Leo Vilchis talk about their new book, “Abolish Rent: How Tenants Can End the Housing Crisis,” their victories and struggles within the tenant movement, and some lessons for others fighting for change.

Aerial view of the capital city of Montpelier, Vermont. Leaves in bright fall colors, and three church spires among the small-city houses and building of brick and clapboard.
Reported Article

States Are Using This Tool to Keep LIHTC Housing Affordable for Longer

Some state finance agencies are using qualified allocation plans, or QAPs, to extend affordability of LIHTC housing beyond 30 years and increase tenant protections. Here’s a look at where it’s happening.

City street view. In the extreme foreground, a partial view of a blue tarp over an orange tent. Beyond it, a police car passes by (or is parked at) the curb. A person dressed in black with a hooded top stands on the sidewalk.
Reported Article

The Fight Continues Against Criminalization of Homelessness

Though disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing sleeping bans, homeless advocates are energized and organizing around other solutions.