Fair and Accessible Housing
Scripture
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18 NIV
Focus Statement
Housing is a basic human right; just as every person needs sleep, food and water, all
people need a safe place to live.
The lack of stable, affordable housing is the foundation of many of America’s social
problems, including poverty, homelessness, and disparities in education and health
care. There is an eviction crisis in America that is intrinsically tied to housing insecurity
because in many cases there are no laws to protect the tenant from unscrupulous
landlords. Foreclosures and evictions cause loss of money, possessions, and damages
the social fabric of neighborhoods.
Rising rent, which has helped fuel homelessness across the nation, has forced millions
of Americans into spending more than the recommended 30% of monthly income on
housing. Rent increases have also played a major role in preventing inflation from
falling, according to the latest consumer price index data 5
According to The Washington Post, “A recent study found that there isn’t a single
congressional district in the country where a full-time minimum wage worker could
afford a two-bedroom apartment.” 6 ). With the rapid growth of unstable, low-paying jobs,
● Homelessness has been on the rise since 2017, experiencing an overall increase of 6 percent.
● In 2022, counts of individuals (421,392 people) and chronically homeless individuals
(127,768) reached record highs in the history of data collection.
● Unsheltered rates are also trending upward, impacting most racial, ethnic, gender
subgroups, and those experiencing mental health challenges.
Homeless service systems expanded the availability of both temporary and permanent
beds in 2022, but these resources still fall short of reaching everyone in need. The rise
in homelessness at the beginning of 2023 continued a pre-pandemic trend from 2016 to
2020, when homelessness also increased. The American Rescue Plan (ARP)—the
largest single-year investment in preventing and ending homelessness in U.S. history—
prevented a rise in homelessness between 2020 and 2022. Many of these ARP
resources have expired, contributing to the increase in homelessness.
Action Items
1. Increase opportunities for homeownership. To start closing the homeownership gap
within a generation, the number of affordable housing options needs to increase. There
5 www.cbsnews.com/news/rent-cost-us-2024-housing-national
6 Swenson, May 16, 2024
are several ways to achieve this goal:
● Increase access to down payment assistance.
● Increase access to affordable credit.
● Invest in affordable homeownership.
● Reinstate the full mortgage interest deduction.
2. Invest in distressed communities.
3. Stop policies that perpetuate segregation. To accomplish this goal:
● Promote equitable housing that incorporates values of inclusion, equal access
to opportunity, and diversity in communities.
● Promote equitable development that meets the needs of underserved
communities through policies and programs that reduce disparities while
fostering places that are healthy and vibrant. It is increasingly considered an
effective place-based action for creating strong and livable communities.
● Reform zoning to allow mixed-income communities.
● Build and preserve affordable homes in communities of opportunity.
● Increase the mobility of families with vouchers.
4. Invest in affordable rental housing with laws to protect renters, thereby lowering the
number of evictions.
5. Encourage Economic Stability which would allow more families to afford housing.
This would include businesses’ paying a livable wage.
6. Promote Financial Literacy Education which will help people make better use of their
earnings through savings, and if able, investing. It will also make homeowners less
susceptible to unethical players who encourage refinancing or second mortgages for
money to purchase high ticket luxury items.
Resources:
Habitat for Humanity: a nonprofit organization helping families build and improve places
to call home. Believes affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable
communities. www.habitat.org
Housing Equity Project (HEP): community-based organization that helps staff the men’s
shelter at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and the women’s shelter at the New York
Society for Ethical Culture, ensuring the two shelters remain open for 120
nights.. Housing Equity Project (HEP) | Community Impact (columbia.edu)
Foundation Communities: nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and
support services to low-income families and individuals in Austin, Texas.
https://foundcom.org
