The Time to Fight is Now: Housing Justice for All
Christine (center) speaking at the Hmong American Day Press Conference on May 13, 2025
It is an honor to be here as we mark 50 years since the Vietnam War—a moment to honor the sacrifices of the Hmong American people and our enduring journey of building a life in the United States. This anniversary is a powerful reminder of our resilience, our service, and the struggles we’ve overcome to call this country home.
Just a few days ago, I received a phone call from my mom—still carrying the deep, lasting wounds of war and the heavy grief of losing her people. Her pain is a reminder that our past is never far behind us.
That same spirit of resilience—the unwavering fight for survival and dignity that defined my people’s journey—fuels my voice today about the existential housing crisis we are facing. Just as our ancestors fought for their lives and futures, we must now fight for the fundamental human right to safe and stable housing in our communities.
Over the past five years and through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, we watched billionaires grow richer while BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, already living paycheck to paycheck, were pushed deeper into poverty. Like so many others, I’ve felt this instability firsthand with my landlord having raised our housing costs eleven times in the past four years through predatory fees and rent hikes. This has nearly doubled our expenses.
This isn’t just about money. It’s about the erosion of our freedom, the looming threat of displacement, and the disproportionate harm to vulnerable communities, especially trans and queer (TQ) folks who are facing rising rates of homelessness and discrimination.
The consequences are stark: TQ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their cisgender, straight peers. Up to 40% of all homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+, a staggering overrepresentation.
Driven from homes by rejection and facing rampant discrimination, nearly 1 in 4 transgender young adults experience homelessness. This isn’t just about housing; it’s about being denied safety, dignity, and the very freedom our Hmong ancestors risked everything to secure.
Yet even in the face of this injustice, we must choose to lean into love. As a wise leader once reminded me, “Study the stories of our people and those most impacted. Listen with the intent to understand; this is how we begin to feel and know the depth and vastness of love.”
As we continue to celebrate Hmong American Day, I call on our elected officials to listen to and study the stories of their constituents and the community this very body serves. And most importantly, for them to step up and protect our human rights by enacting policies that address this housing crisis, curb predatory practices, and ensure housing security for our most vulnerable.
Let this celebration not only honor the past but also fuel our present and future. The time to fight for housing justice and build a united community where everyone has the freedom and security they deserve is now.
In solidarity,
Christine, Sacramento TQ Organizer