UJJI is an annual campaign of YWCA, dedicated to building more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. The conversations we have and the resources we share foster personal reflection, encourage social responsibility, and motivate participants to identify and act on ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.
Here's a recap from last year's panel discussion, "Immigration Myths vs. Facts."
RESOURCE LIST: HOUSING JUSTICE
The theme for UJJI 2026, "Housing Justice: From Policy to Practice," is focused on the ways housing policies show up in the day-to-day lives of people in our community, and how we're addressing barriers to housing for women, families, and communities of color. Check out the list below for articles, videos, books, and other resources to learn more about this topic and find ways you can help fight for justice in our community.
- Books on Gentrification & Housing for all ages
- Richard Rothstein, The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
- Matthew Desmond, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
- Gregg Colburn & Clayton Page Aldern, Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns
- A W.H.E.E.L. Anthology, Beloved Community: The Sisterhood of Homeless Women in Poetry
- How Houston Moved 25,000 People From the Streets Into Homes of Their Own | NY Times
- Older Renters of Color Have Experienced High Rates of Housing Insecurity During the Pandemic | Harvard University: Joint Center for Housing Studies
- The growing housing supply shortage has created a housing affordability crisis | The Economic Policy Institute
- A computer model predicts who will become homeless in L.A. Then these workers step in | LA Times
- Everyone has an idea for solving homelessness. What if we listened to the unhoused? | LA Times
- WA bill to remove barriers to homeless shelters, housing heads to Ferguson | Seattle Times
- Unhoused people sue Burien over new homeless camping law | Seattle Times
- Black Lives Experiencing Homelessness Matter: A Critical Conceptual Framework for Understanding How Policing Drives System Avoidance among Vulnerable Populations | Taylor & Francis Online
- Legal Frameworks for Addressing Racial Disparities in Housing | Local Housing Solutions
- Add ‘Middle Housing’ to Address Affordability, Climate Change and Racial Equity | Seattle Times
- The Ghosts of Housing Discrimination Reach Beyond Redlining: Why Historical Redlining Maps Are Not Strong Predictors of Present-Day Housing Instability | Urban Institute
- Disability Justice Isn’t Possible without Housing Justice | Urban Institute
- Eight Days with Dave: True Treehouse Tales of Seattle’s Squirrel Man | Janet Yoder
Get involved
If you’re interested in helping further YWCA’s race and social justice work, consider joining our People of Color Executive Council (POCEC).
The POCEC is composed of BIPOC community members, YWCA Board members, and community allies from across King and Snohomish Counties. They represent a variety of lived experiences and have a deep connection to and passion for YWCA’s mission.
The core responsibilities of the POCEC include:
- Planning and executing the annual Until Justice Just Is event
- Utilizing their expertise and networks to engage with the community and further YWCA’s race and social justice work
- Providing recommendations and input to YWCA's Board of Directors
The POCEC meets a minimum of 4 times a year unless members choose to participate on a specific subcommittee. Serving on the POCEC is a fantastic way to give back to the community as well as engage in the critical work of YWCA.
