Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project

Editorial: Real Change publishes an award-winning, independent newspaper, with a paid circulation of approximately 241,000 papers annually. On average, the newspaper is produced by four journalists and fifteen volunteers. The paper is informed by the advice of Homeless and formerly Homeless people who review the paper's content.

Advocacy and organizing: Real Change leverages the relationships that exist between our vendors and readers to build a cross class movement for economic and racial justice. We continue to advocate for progressive revenue sources to address the shortage of affordable housing and wrap around services for those experiencing homelessness.

Vendor services: we run a comprehensive vendor services program that provides a low barrier employment opportunity to Homeless and low income people every year. Our vendors buy papers from Real Change for $0.60 each and sell them on the street for $2.00. In 2022-2023, vendors sold approximately 241,000 papers, collectively earning over $880,000. Real Change provides a low threshold self-employment opportunity for those who, in most cases, would face serious challenges finding or maintaining regular employment.