Housing & Economic Justice Committee

The Arise Housing & Economic Justice Committee is made up of Arise members and community residents who are deeply committed to securing safe, clean, and truly affordable housing for all. Our fight is personal—many of us have lived through housing and economic crises ourselves. We know what it feels like to be dismissed, overlooked, and made to beg for help from systems that were never designed with us in mind.

Because we remember that pain—because we are tired of being treated as less than—because we are angry, and because we know our communities deserve better, we’ve learned to organize, educate, and build power from the ground up. And we support others in learning to do the same.

We understand the barriers people face when searching for housing, accessing shelter, or navigating confusing and often dehumanizing systems. Our committee raises awareness, educates people about their rights, and provides hands-on support to those navigating housing insecurity. We fight for policy changes at the city and state level and hold landlords, agencies, and public officials accountable to the people of Springfield.

We believe that housing is a human right—not a privilege. That belief drives our work to dismantle harmful policies, advocate for just and inclusive development, and demand a housing plan that meets the needs of all Springfield residents—not just the privileged few.

To learn more or get involved, contact our Housing & Economic Justice Organizer, Liz Bewsee, at liz@arisespringfield.org or call the Arise office at 413-734-4948.