Statement
Homelessness and Housing: A Human Tragedy, A Moral Challenge PDF
Homelessness and Housing: A Human Tragedy, A Moral Challenge
A Statement Issued by the Administrative Board of the United States Catholic Conference, March 24, 1988
This 1988 statement from the Administrative Board of the United States Catholic Conference responds to Pope John Paul II’s call to address homelessness and the wider U.S. housing crisis, framing these problems as both a human tragedy and a moral challenge that demands renewed pastoral and public action.
Core moral framework
- Housing as a human right: The Church regards decent housing as essential to human dignity; a home is more than shelter, it is where life is lived out.
- Principles applied: Stewardship, participation, and a preferential option for the poor guide the Church’s view—society must use resources fairly, enable people to shape their own lives, and prioritize the poor and vulnerable.
Church experience and role
- The Church is deeply involved: dioceses, Catholic Charities, parishes, and Church-sponsored programs provide emergency shelter, affordable housing units, eviction assistance, and community development support.
- Despite extensive charitable work, the Church emphasizes that charity cannot substitute for effective public policy.
Diagnosis of the crisis
- National commitment to housing has eroded since 1949; federal investment and resources for subsidized housing have dropped sharply.
- Key problems include physical inadequacy, crowding, high cost burdens, closed waiting lists for housing, rising housing costs far outpacing incomes, declining homeownership, and severe shortages in rural areas.
- Human consequences include doubled-up families, seniors facing rent shocks, and a growing, dehumanizing shelter culture.
Policy and public responsibility
- The statement calls for a renewed federal role: leadership, adequate resources, and a broad, flexible strategy to prevent homelessness and expand decent, affordable housing.
- Solutions must be collaborative—churches, community groups, private sector, and all levels of government must act together.
- Public sentiment supports action; what is lacking is political leadership and commitment.
Pastoral and moral imperative
- The Church urges Catholics and all citizens to see homeless persons as neighbors and to respond from faith: sheltering the homeless is serving Christ.
- Charitable sheltering is necessary but insufficient; durable housing and policies that restore dignity are required.
- The statement closes with an urgent appeal for sustained, creative, moral, and public efforts to eliminate homelessness and provide decent housing for all.