What is NASNA?
The North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is a nonprofit trade association of street newspapers throughout North America. NASNA is the regional support network of the International Network of Street Papers which consists of 110 papers in 40 countries and growing. NASNA has 28 members, 22 in the United States and 6 in Canada and there are new street papers looking to get started soon.

What is a street newspaper?
A street newspaper is a newspaper that primarily addresses issues related to poverty and homelessness and is distributed by poor or homeless vendors. Vendors sell the newspaper for a set price, usually $1, and have to pay the organization a fraction of the price (20% to 40%) for each paper up front. The self-employed vendor sells the papers on the street and keeps the money he or she makes. For many people, this is the opportunity they need to get back on their feet and into permanent housing.

The benefits of street papers go far beyond economic opportunity. For the vendor, they offer a positive experience of self-help that breaks through the isolation that many homeless people experience. They offer the public a means to reach out with their dollar to help a homeless person directly and, over time, form a caring relationship.

Most street newspapers also provide homeless and/or those living on the margins of society the opportunities for expression by publishing their articles, letters and artwork. These publications build a bridge between the very poor and the wider public by helping people to understand the issues and the personal stories of those on the lowest rung of the economic ladder.

• Organized 10 conferences in 6 U.S. cities and 4 Canadian cities
• In 2002, NASNA developed the Homeless New Service (now the Street News Service) for member organizations to exchange content.  And in 2005 the news service was merged with the news service from the International Network of Street Papers to create a global news service. 
• In 2003, a 32 page resource entitled, “Street Papers, a Guide to Getting Started” was created in partnership with the International Network of Street Papers and is often used by new organizations interested in creating a street newspaper.
• In 2007, NASNA led a successful six-month technical assistance program which utilized outside consultants to lead webinar workshops for seven member organizations.
• In 2008 NASNA created a three-year strategic plan to enhance financial stability, build staff and board capacity, and build a self-sustaining street newspaper network.
• In December of 2008, NASNA successfully hired an executive director and acquired office space in Washington D.C. 
• In July/August 2009, NASNA organized a North American conference in partnership with member paper the Denver Voice
• Today NASNA has 28 members and a combined distribution of nearly 300,000 papers a month.

In the News

New Publication to Help Area Homeless - Toledo Free Press (Oct. 16, 2009)
Homeless Help Spread the News - USA Today (Sept. 8, 2009)
Street Paper is Good News for Nashville's Homeless - Tennessean (Sept. 6, 2009)
Word on the Street - San Francisco Bay Guardian (Sept. 2, 2009)
Extra, Extra! Homeless Lift Street Papers, and Attitudes - New York Times (Apr. 13, 2009)