From Don Fornoff, Bishop’s Task Force on Homelessness:
Your Bishop’s Taskforce wants you, our dear parishioners and our beloved church communities, to do all they can to serve and assist the unhoused in returning to full strength of being in community. That is why I search for and research news and information to keep us up to date on thoughts and happenings about those who have fallen to the side of the economic road- being unhoused or heading rapidly in that direction.
In 2019, Habitat For Humanity published a report titled “The Crisis of Affordable Housing: An Interfaith Approach,” which, unfortunately, is 6, 7, and 8 years into the data, is more up-to-date than ever on homelessness concerns. Increased housing costs and growing income inequality are at the root of homelessness. Nationally, one-third of all households are cost-burdened, paying over 30% of their income on housing. In Washington State, a study showed that every $100 increase in rent produced a 6% increase in homelessness in urban areas and a 32% increase in rural areas. As for the jobs that allow for household income, only 2 of Washington’s top 20 occupations (in total numbers) allow for income above the poverty line. Again, housing cost increases and income inequality are the root of the problem.
The approach begins with understanding your area and organizing along interfaith lines. The approach is about advocacy. Understand the problem. Formulate a vision. Identify the leaders and decision-makers you want to contact. Begin to advocate for that vision and keep at it. As you go along, network with other groups. Advocacy isn’t easy, nor is it straight-line. It is about changing hearts and minds. Advocacy isn’t just lobbying. It is about reaching all parts of the community and society to educate and draw in supporters.
Habitat For Humanity provides an outline for a plan for affordable housing.
- Clearly define your focus. Change laws? Partner with others? Consider supporting goals already in place
- Determine ways to address the issue. What methods should we use? Do we have the right people? Consider policy changes and process goals (building community). Provide practical policy goals.
- Emphasize that you are an interfaith group. Respect diversity. Conduct community outreach. Encourage active voices. Be open to including other areas of concern.
- Develop relationships.
- Define simply who you are – mission, work, and agenda.
This is an effort the Taskforce would like to replicate throughout the Diocese. Let’s face it—most of our parishes are small in numbers yet big in faith and desire to do something. To get meaningful things done, we need to gather others in faith to get active. The members of the Task Force want to have a conversation with you about this kind of organizing—be in touch!
One more thing. Let me quote the Episcopal Public Policy Network from a recent release in July 2024. “Since 2017, there has been a continuous rise in homelessness and housing insecurity. Without government funding for essential needs, people’s health and safety are at great risk due to the lack of access to adequate and affordable housing.”
“The Episcopal Church upholds housing as a fundamental right and aligns with God’s call to serve all people, especially the most vulnerable.” The EPPN goes on to encourage funding from Congress to support housing programs. We in the Diocese of Olympia can be encouraged to do this locally.
God, guide us to be just, kind, and humble.
Don Fornoff
Member, Bishop’s Taskforce on Homelessness
