Affordable Housing and Homelessness

Affordable Housing and Homelessness

"The lack of safe, affordable housing requires a renewed commitment to increase the supply of quality housing and to preserve, maintain, and improve existing housing through public/private partnerships, especially with religious groups and community organizations.”

--USCCB, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, 2011

Current Advocacy Position

The Catholic bishops believe decent, safe, and affordable housing is a human right. Catholic teaching supports the right to private property, but recognizes that communities and the government have an obligation to ensure the housing needs of all are met, especially poor and vulnerable people and their families. In a time of rising homelessness and when many workers' wages are stagnant and living expenses are rising, it is important to ensure housing security.

Happening Now

Letters to Congress Regarding Appropriations for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Sr. Donna Markham, May 24, 2022

Increase Funding for Housing Programs
Urging an increase in funding for housing programs, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Sr. Donna Markham of Catholic Charities USA write to Congress on June 29, 2021 regarding fiscal year 2022 appropriations for Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

Extend the Eviction Moratorium
On March 26, 2021, Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Sr. Donna Markham, Director of Catholic Charities USA, and Sr. Mary Haddad, Director of Catholic Health Association write to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Walensky urging her to take immediate action to extend the Centers for Disease Control’s eviction moratorium for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Bishop Chairman Grateful for Administration’s Early Actions to Address Urgent Food and Housing Needs
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, January 27, 2021

Bishop Chairmen Affirm Right to Shelter for All, Commend Improvements to HUD Rule
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop David A. Konderla, September 11, 2020

Weakened Fair Housing Rule Fails to Promote Dignity of Human Person
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Charities USA filed comments in March 2020 on HUD’s proposed changes to the AFFH rule.

Primers, Backgrounders, and Educational Materials

Backgrounder on COVID-19 Relief that Meets the Needs of the Poor & Vulnerable
January 2021

Backgrounder on Mixed-Status Families and Eligibility for Certain HUD Housing Programs: What You Need to Know About HUD's Proposed Rule
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, and Catholic Health Association, July 2, 2019

Backgrounder on Affordable Housing and the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF)
February 2011

Backgrounder on Foreclosure
February 2011

Affordable Housing and Homelessness

Background Information

Backgrounder on COVID-19 Relief that Meets the Needs of the Poor & Vulnerable
January 2021

Backgrounder on Affordable Housing and the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF)
February 2011

Backgrounder on Foreclosure
February 2011

2020-Present

Letters to Congress Regarding Appropriations for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Sr. Donna Markham, May 24, 2022

Increase Funding for Housing Programs
Urging an increase in funding for housing programs, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Sr. Donna Markham of Catholic Charities USA write to Congress on June 29, 2021 regarding fiscal year 2022 appropriations for Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

Extend the Eviction Moratorium
On March 26, 2021, Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Sr. Donna Markham, Director of Catholic Charities USA, and Sr. Mary Haddad, Director of Catholic Health Association write to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Walensky urging her to take immediate action to extend the Centers for Disease Control’s eviction moratorium for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Chairmen Affirm Right to Shelter for All, Commend Improvements to HUD Rule
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop David A. Konderla, September 11, 2020

Weakened Fair Housing Rule Fails to Promote Dignity of Human Person
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, Sr. Donna Markham, July 28, 2020

Letters to Congress Regarding the FY2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Sr. Donna Markham, June 15 and June 16, 2021