Housing
Respect for human dignity requires that every person should have access to safe, decent and affordable housing. It directly impacts employment, health, family stability and education. It is also a critical component of healthy, safe and sustainable communities.
The Housing Act of 1949 called for “a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.” Despite many legislative efforts, the nation is far from reaching this goal. One quarter of the U.S. population — 65 million people - experience housing problems that include high-cost burdens, substandard conditions, overcrowding and homelessness. According to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, in 2006, 39 million households were spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing and nearly 18 million were spending more than 50 percent. From 2001 to 2006, the number of severely burdened households (50% of income or more) increased by almost four million.
Women, children and people with disabilities are most at risk. The typical homeless family in the U.S. is a single mother in her 20’s with two children under the age of six. One of every three people living in severely substandard housing is a child. Twenty-eight percent of women-headed families with children pay more than half their incomes for housing and/or live in overcrowded or severely substandard conditions. Rising rental costs make modestly priced efficiency and one-bedroom units in every housing market area in the U.S. beyond the means of people living on disability assistance.
A national recommitment to the vision of the Housing Act of 1949 is needed and would be an important step in ensuring that all Americans have safe, affordable housing.
Learn More:
NETWORK on Affordable Housing
USCCB Housing Page
Bishop’s statements, policy positions, and briefing papers on current and historical housing issues and legislation.
National Low Income Housing Coalition
Policy research and advocacy resources on federal housing programs and legislation. The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to ending America’s affordable housing crisis.
National Alliance to End Homelessness
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, mission-driven organization that provides issue fact sheets, policy analysis and solutions, and advocate guides to help prevent and end homelessness in the United States.
