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Street Papers Address Poverty, Homelessness

The International Network of Street Papers defines street papers as "independent newspapers and magazines that provide unique employment opportunities and enterprising social programmes for people experiencing poverty and homelessness." From Argentina to Namibia to Japan, street papers are providing creative outlets for writers and journalists as well as valuable sales opportunities for homeless vendors.


Street Sheet Vendor in San Francisco
by Jennifer Woodard Maderazo The 60 vendors at Street Sense in Washington, DC pay 25 cents for each paper to cover publishing costs and then sell each paper for $1. According to the website, vendors make an average of $40 a day, and some have been able to use this money to move out of local shelters.

The paper provides a unique perspective on local, national and international news. Recent Street Sense articles have included a response to a national survey about the public perceptions of homelessness; information about visual arts programs at area libraries and homeless shelters; and a leading presidential candidate's response to a Street Sense survey about how he might combat poverty if elected President.

Now in its 10th year, Street Roots in Portland, OR is "for those who cannot afford free speech." Street Roots publishes two issues each month as well as special quarterly poetry volume. Guest submissions of poetry, stories, and letters to the editor are welcome. On the opposite coast, Street Sights, based in Providence, RI, impacts homeless writers and vendors as well as journalism students at Brown University. Both are in good company as members of the North American Street Newspaper Association.

If you're interested in working with or developing a street paper, you can learn more here.