Meet Cierra—Eviction Prevention Advocate (Story 8/40)
“I think people of color often get stuck on this idea that they shouldn’t ask for help,” Cierra began. As an eviction prevention outreach and subcontractor manager, Cierra is on the frontlines of the housing crisis as she and the team work tirelessly to keep residents safely housed and off the streets.
“So, in our eviction prevention work, we’re trying to target demographics who need help but don’t know where to turn or how to ask. That’s a big part of my role here: helping people get the help they need and deserve. How do we walk with them in a dignity-affirming way that enables them the access and opportunity they need, you know? It’s not easy, but when people get help they need it feels great.”
It’s not an easy line to walk, but Cierra understands what’s at stake—and what’s at the root of all this.
“I mean, it’s about greed. Property owners—especially the big corporate property owners—aren’t worried about whether that apartment has been your home for 20 years or if you are out of work due to covid- 19 and struggling to afford the new rent increase, they only care about profits. Greed drives the rent up, people lose their homes, and it’s devastating. Inflation is making prices like food and gas sky high and then you have landlords and property owners increasing rent over 10% and evicting long-term tenants because they can. Then you have all the government meetings, which can be so bizarre. I was just in a meeting recently where the first agenda item was a mind-boggling salary for a government employee, which passed easily, and then an intense discussion over the next agenda item, which was over whether or not we could afford extending the eviction moratorium. People in power expect to be taken care of, but that expectation doesn’t always apply to others.”
Most of these 40 stories celebrating 40 years in the community end on a hopeful, positive note, but the reality is not all can—not all should! As someone working on the front lines of the housing crisis, Cierra has a warning: “If San Diegans aren’t careful, we’re going to lose a lot of amazing people to housing displacement. Communities we’ve come to love are going to change, and not for the better, if we don’t find ways to take care of each other.”
Most of these 40 stories celebrating 40 years in the community end on a hopeful, positive note, but the reality is not all can—not all should! As someone working on the front lines of the housing crisis, Cierra has a warning: “If San Diegans aren’t careful, we’re going to lose a lot of amazing people to housing displacement. Communities we’ve come to love are going to change, and not for the better, if we don’t find ways to take care of each other.”