Community Posada (2018)
With United Caltrans Tenants
Community Procession
Community Posada Calls Out Caltrans on Housing Issues Along Defunct 710 Freeway Corridor
For Immediate Release
December 3, 2018
Los Angeles, CA – On Sunday, December 16, between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, a performance art/action Posada led by Caltrans tenants will highlight the 100+ properties emptied by The California Department of Transportation in the midst of an extreme housing shortage and a homelessness crisis. A Posada is a traditional holiday procession where families reenact the search for lodging by the pregnant Mary and her husband Joseph on the night of the baby Jesus’ birth. Organizers wish to shed light on the need for housing by depicting the holy family’s search for shelter at the time it was needed most, yet were rejected. Tenants from the affected cities (El Sereno, South Pasadena, and Pasadena) want to draw attention to the numerous empty homes along the now defunct 710 Freeway corridor that could be used to house families in need.
One tenant, who wished to remain anonymous stated, “We are furious that politicians and legislators have not forced Caltrans to repair and rent the empty homes to low-income families in need, especially when we have people living in the median on Huntington Drive. Their inaction is akin to criminal negligence.” Since politicians in Los Angeles and across the state of California tout combating homelessness as one of their top priorities, the posada seeks to call these politicians to action by directing Caltrans Right of Way Property Management to immediately stop unwarranted evictions, freeze rent hikes, which have reached up to 21% annually and are forcing tenants out of their homes, and to immediately repair and rent the empty homes to families in need.
At 4:00 PM organizers will process from Sheffield Ave. where it meets Allen Street, to the El Sereno Community Garden by 5:30 PM. Along the way, they will pass empty homes sharing narratives of those affected by Caltrans’ home hoarding. Speakers will include families forcibly removed, either through unjustified evictions, or rent raises that resulted in de facto evictions. Later the group will meet in South Pasadena and process from Holy Family Catholic Church to St. James Episcopal Church. The media/public are invited to observe and or participate in the Posada.