Housing
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The Need Is Great and Growing
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In this moment, through your generosity, our parish is helping our neighbors in need who face a looming crisis in housing. The pandemic has exposed many rips in our social fabric, the need for equity in housing access being one of the most urgent.
The issue of affordable housing, always a concern in Austin, is now at the tipping point. After months without work and few job prospects, many of our neighbors face outright eviction when the moratorium ends on July 25th. Where will our neighbors live when they leave their homes?We need to commit a portion of our nation's vast resources to programs providing direct rental support to those affected by the pandemic and protect vulnerable renters from eviction. This change must come soon.
This is a footnote in the 1975 Statement of the Catholic Bishops of the United States:"Over twenty-five years ago, the United States Congress declared the housing policy of this country to be "a decent home in suitable living environment for every American family." This goal has not been achieved. The harsh and frustrating reality is that it certainly will not be achieved in the near future and may never be achieved at all. This means that millions of American families are condemned to live in poor housing or in unsuitable environments unless dramatic action is taken."
Clearly housing has been a major issue in the United States for more than 70 years. There has never been a better time to act!
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1. Pray
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For equitable & affordable housing
Holy One, Giver of blessings that nurture the earth and feed our bodies and souls,
we offer now our thanks for the abundance that surrounds us:For the harvest of which we partake,
For the many hands that make light the work of helping our sisters and brothers,
For those who are in need, who gladden our hearts by allowing us to be of use.With spirits raised by all this, we are so bold as to ask even more:
We pray for more caring hands,
For the equitable sharing of the riches of the harvest,
For more affordable housing,
For more people of faith willing to put their faith into action,
And for our lives to be constant prayers that all may be safe, warm, and loved.So may it be.
~ David Keyes, from Social Justice Resource Center
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2. Inform yourself as a Catholic
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From Our Bishops on the Right to a Decent Home
"The United States is in the midst of a severe housing crisis. This is a broader, more pervasive, and more complicated phenomenon than the customary photographs of urban slums and rural shacks indicate. It involves more people, more neighborhoods and communities than was thought to be the case even a few years ago. It touches millions of poor families who live in inhuman conditions, but it also involves many middle-income families whose ability to provide themselves with decent housing is being painfully tested. Rising costs of shelter, maintenance, and utilities—as well as high interest rates and regressive property taxes—are forcing many families to live in inadequate housing or to do without other basic essentials. Other low- and middle-income families have been confined to neighborhoods without adequate services, minimal safety, or necessary community life."
~ From A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of the United States, November 20, 1975
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3. Call your legislators - advocate for housing relief NOW!
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Let your elected officials know that this crisis is urgent. In Austin, the moratorium on eviction proceedings ends on July 25th. People will move into unstable housing situations, over-crowded living conditions, or become homeless unless we ask state and federal Representatives, Senators, and the White House to take action NOW! Urge politicians and lawmakers to do the right thing. Use the quick links on our Advocate Now page to get their contact information.
RESULTS has two current campaigns that can help you get started thinking about what to say to your elected officials. To prepare, you may want to read their blog post "Keeping Americans Housed During COVID-19". Data shows that calls are more effective than emails, and you are encouraged to make the words your own, such as including personal anecdote.
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4. Support organizations addressing housing equity
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Local Organizations
People are in urgent need of affordable housing. Here are a few local organizations working to create affordable housing solutions:
Foundation Communities creates housing where families succeed.
Saint Louise House provides housing and essential services in Austin to homeless women with children.
Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (GNDC) is an affordable housing provider helping families from
East Austin remain in their neighborhood. -
Nationwide Organizations
Here are a few organizations working on affordable housing solutions around the country:
Family Promise has numerous affiliates across the U.S. that help families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through community-based responses.
RESULTS advocates for policies that increase access to affordable rental housing, support homeownership, and tackle the racial wealth divide in the U.S. RESULTS is a movement of everyday people who use their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty in the U.S. and globally.
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