August 11, 2008

Housing is one of the most basic human necessities, yet millions in our world struggle to find decent shelter and a place to call home.  The prophet Isaiah called on us to "take the poor into your homes." The Rabbis translated Isaiah’s rage into the idiom of communal obligation, which they articulated in their understanding of housing as a basic necessity for all people. Addressing this need, among others, defines for the Rabbis the obligations of the citizens of any city. Indeed, it is this sense of obligation that compels us to improve the availability of quality, affordable housing in our country and particularly in our cities. Our aim is to help a diverse population maintain their homes through a wide range of strategies.

Strategies for Action – Ensuring Everyone Has a Home

PJA endorses a range of strategies to cope with this serious housing crisis:

1. PJA supports the development of mixed income neighborhoods and buildings, which require that a portion of new development remain affordable for individuals with low to moderate income levels.  Government incentives have failed to induce such development; therefore PJA supports mandatory zoning rules.  PJA opposes efforts to concentrate affordable housing in “less desirable” areas of the city. Social segregation contradicts our core values and weakens our society.

2. PJA supports the efforts to protect the existing supply of affordable housing by limiting the wave of condominium conversions.  PJA also supports the maintenance and enforcement of current rent control laws so that people are not illegally forced out of their homes.

3. PJA supports a housing trust fund that allocates a dedicated stream of long-term funding for affordable housing projects.

4. PJA supports the provision of permanent supportive housing that offers housing and social services (including job training, substance abuse recovery programs, and mental health services), which provide tools that help the homeless re-enter society in a productive and meaningful way.

5. PJA supports responsible lending practices and meaningful government regulation of the market for mortgages.

6. PJA supports engaging and educating the Jewish community with programs and materials that present the housing problem as a profound social crisis that affects the lives of millions of different people, from a wide variety of backgrounds.

7. PJA supports participation in housing-related coalitions and alliances which align with its values and strategic vision.