Velvet Ross

Growing up in NYCHA housing in the South Bronx, Velvet saw her neighbors band together to advocate for safe and adequate housing. In college she served as a member of her borough’s Community Board, but found herself homeless after an illegal eviction from an unsafe apartment. Today, Velvet is a leading voice pushing New York City’s progress on housing vouchers, including access, fair amounts, and landlord acceptance. She plans to continue her work with organizations such as UnLock NYC, Neighbors Together and Housing Justice For All to continue to advocate for safe, affordable housing for all and fight to eradicate homelessness and evictions. Through The Eviction Fund, Velvet plans on combating the harsh and treacherous ways that evictions destabilize families and individuals by providing a source of relief to circumvent their displacement by providing monetary relief. Her soon to be podcast, “HerHousing” will  provide a discussion around the intersections of race, gender, class and housing.