Resolution Number: 2003-D040
Title: Reaffirm Commitment to Provide Affordable Housing for the Poor
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention reaffirm its commitment to providing rental and owner-occupied housing that is safe, accessible, and affordable for low-income and moderate-income persons and their families including persons with disabilities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of Governmental Relations urge the executive and legislative branches of the federal government and the dioceses to encourage state and local units of government to ensure that housing assistance programs are adequately funded to address the growing gap between the number of affordable housing units available and the number of renter households in the bottom quartile of income in this nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention strongly encourage the local parish and interfaith community partnerships to address the lack of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families including persons with disabilities throughout this nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention urge the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice to identify existing and new opportunities for involvement in the creation and investment in affordable housing and to report through the Jubilee Ministries Advisory Committee on the status of this work to the 75th General Convention and on the opportunities for The Episcopal Church to become involved in the creation of affordable housing.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), p. 332f.

Legislative History

Author: Mr. Jack Hanstein (Northern California)
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #36 on Resolution D040 (Invest in Housing for the Poor) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D040)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention reaffirm its commitment to providing safe, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the office of Government Relations urge the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the White House, the United States Congress and state legislatures to ensure that housing assistance programs are adequately funded to address the growing gap between the number of affordable housing units available and the number of renter households in the bottom quartile of income in this nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention encourage the development of local parish and interfaith community partnerships to address the lack of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families throughout this great nation.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention reaffirm its commitment to providing safe rental and owner-occupied affordable housing that is safe, accessible and affordable for low-income and moderate-income persons and their families including persons with disabilities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of Government Relations urge the Executive and Legislative branches of the federal government Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the White House, the United States Congress and state legislatures and the dioceses to encourage state and local units of government to ensure that housing assistance programs are adequately funded to address the growing gap between the number of affordable housing units available and the number of renter households in the bottom quartile of income in this nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention encourage strongly encourage the development of local parish and interfaith community partnerships to address the lack of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families including persons with disabilities throughout this great nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention urge the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice to identify existing and new opportunities for involvement in the creation and investment in affordable housing and to report through the Jubilee Ministries Advisory Committee on the status of this work to the 75th General Convention and on the opportunities for The Episcopal Church to become involved in the creation of affordable housing.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #179)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #20 on HD Message #179 on Resolution D040 (Invest in Housing for the Poor) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #249)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, August 8.

Abstract:   The 74th General Convention reaffirms its commitment to provide affordable housing for those with low- and moderate-income.