Client and advocate Bill Price talks voter registration

Q: Why did you get into advocacy?

I never believed that I’d be homeless. I felt like other people, that it was their fault they were homeless. But then my family couldn’t pay the water bill and taxes on our house so we lost it. I had to pick up what I could and find shelter.

No one should ever experience a day of homelessness; it’s affected me in more ways than I could ever imagine. That’s why I started advocating for other people. It gives me hope.

Q: How long have you been an advocate?

Since 2013, after coming to Health Care for the Homeless.

Q: You use voter registration as an extension of your advocacy. Please explain.

Voter registration is the truest form of reform. Not enough people experiencing homelessness are registered or vote. People say, “I don’t vote because I don’t believe that my vote counts.” It’s a slow process. But we can change stigma and how people treat us by exercising our right to vote. We don’t like what someone’s doing? We vote them out! The more we vote, the more we can convey our need for housing, health care and respect.

Q: Any favorite moments?

Some people hug me and thank me. That makes it all worthwhile. I’ve registered 1,500 people to vote, but I don’t want my star in the lights. If I register you to vote, just vote!

Follow Bill’s lead and vote on November 6.

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