Housing Justice

Boston Faith and Justice Network’s purpose is to call Christians to a lifetime engaged in justice, and to equip them with the resources to do so. We call and equip, recognizing that God has first called and equipped us. 

 

Home for All: A Theological Vision
Is not this the fast that I choose:

    to loose the bonds of injustice,

    to undo the straps of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

    and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

    and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover them

    and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

    and your healing shall spring up quickly;

your vindicator shall go before you;

    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

    you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”
Isaiah 58:6-9 NRSV

Jesus came to offer salvation and restoration, a kingdom of God where we are in restored relationship with God and others. Homelessness and housing insecurity directly prevents physical and spiritual flourishing. As bearers of the kingdom of God, we also bear a call to the needs of poor and marginalized communities. 

It is that call which motivates BFJN towards education and volunteering, remaining aware that while communal reflection and direct service are incredibly important, are not sufficient by themselves to move towards combating structural inequities. 

Alongside serving unhoused clients and accompanying people through some of the most difficult times of their lives, the vision of every homeless shelter is to live in a world where homeless shelters do not have to exist. Where everyone has a warm and safe place to call home. In a similar way, as Christians who believe in a just God, and that the vision of justice outlined in Isaiah 58 is ours to participate in, we can organize our communities and churches to join this work.

Home for All: A New Imagination
Massachusetts is currently undergoing a housing crisis. It is estimated that 222,000 homes need to be built over the next decade to meet the needs of the state’s diverse population. This requires a rate of approximately 20,000 homes a year, but at the moment we are at around 11,000. And simply building homes is not the only priority. These homes need to be affordable and accessible for working class and low-to-moderate income residents, for the long term.

Housing justice intersects with a range of issues: racism, mass incarceration, immigration, climate change and more. So what can Christians do to help? Individual Christians and churches have a massive capacity to educate themselves, give time and money to organizations working for housing justice, and supporting specific policies aimed at increasing affordable housing in Massachusetts and preventing homelessness.