Embracing Housing as a Fundamental Human Right
Summary
The sermon from the Rochester Unitarian Sunday Morning Livestream focuses on the theme of housing as a fundamental human right and the importance of community support for those experiencing homelessness. The speaker begins by highlighting the significance of having a safe place to call home, sharing a poem by Ian McMillan about the security and choice a door represents. The congregation is then invited to participate in a song called "Simple Gifts," which celebrates the gift of simplicity and freedom.
The "Greater Good Project" is introduced as a tradition of the First Unitarian church, which promotes generosity and intentional giving during the holiday season. The project supports two organizations through the Greater Good Fund, with this year's first recipient being Family Promise of Greater Rochester, an organization that aids families at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The speaker discusses two organizations that provide stability and support to unhoused individuals. Family Promise offers transitional housing and helps families establish a rental history, while Person Centered Housing Options (PCH) focuses on the chronically unhoused, providing site-based permanent supportive housing programs to encourage recovery and self-sufficiency.
A personal story is shared to illustrate the harsh reality of housing inequality, where a family lives in a home with health and safety violations, never having experienced proper housing. The concept of equitable housing is introduced, emphasizing the need for housing free from discrimination. Guest speaker Nicholas Carter, co-founder of Person Centered Housing Options, speaks about their housing first model and the importance of community involvement, such as distributing hygiene kits and socks.
The sermon concludes with a discussion on the importance of long-term sustainability and the ability to afford basic necessities after paying rent. The speaker reflects on their own upbringing, where they were taught to spend no more than 30% of income on housing, a stark contrast to the families they work with who spend 80 to 90% of their income on housing. The audience is asked to consider what constitutes a decent home, with the speaker stressing that many families lack access to basic necessities and live in indecent housing conditions.
Key Takeaways:
- The concept of a door as a symbol of security and choice is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. The speaker's use of poetry to convey this message underscores the human right to shelter and the need for society to ensure that no one is left without a door to close at night. [01:34:28]
- The "Greater Good Project" embodies the Unitarian Universalist values of generosity, interdependence, and equity. By challenging families to give a significant portion of their holiday spending to those in need, the project fosters a spirit of communal support and highlights the impact of collective action in addressing social issues. [01:22:13]
- Housing is not just a physical structure but a foundation for stability and recovery. Organizations like Family Promise and Person Centered Housing Options demonstrate that with the right support, individuals facing homelessness can regain their footing and work towards self-sufficiency. This approach aligns with the belief that housing is a human right and a necessary step towards societal equity. [01:24:35]
- The personal story shared by the speaker brings to light the stark reality of housing inequality and the urgency of addressing it. Equitable housing is not just a policy issue but a moral imperative that requires active community involvement and a commitment to eliminating discrimination in all its forms. [01:31:40]
- The discussion on long-term sustainability in housing expenses reveals a systemic issue where many families are burdened with unaffordable housing costs. This insight challenges us to rethink our societal structures and advocate for policies that ensure everyone has access to decent housing without compromising their ability to meet other basic needs. [01:27:59]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 58:7 - "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
2. Matthew 25:35-40 - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. ... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
3. James 2:15-17 - "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 58:7 suggest about our responsibilities towards those in need?
2. In Matthew 25:35-40, how does Jesus describe the actions of those who are righteous?
3. According to James 2:15-17, what is the relationship between faith and action?
4. What are some of the specific ways the sermon suggests we can support those experiencing homelessness? ([01:33:49])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of housing as a human right align with the teachings in Isaiah 58:7?
2. What might Jesus' words in Matthew 25:35-40 imply about the importance of community support for the homeless? ([01:24:35])
3. How does James 2:15-17 challenge us to think about our faith in relation to social justice and housing inequality?
4. Reflecting on the personal story shared in the sermon, what does it reveal about the reality of housing inequality and the need for equitable housing? ([01:31:40])
#### Application Questions
1. How can you personally contribute to ensuring that everyone has a safe place to call home? Are there local organizations you can support or volunteer with? ([01:33:49])
2. The sermon discusses the importance of long-term sustainability in housing expenses. How can you advocate for policies that ensure affordable housing in your community? ([01:27:59])
3. Reflect on the "Greater Good Project" and its emphasis on intentional giving. How can you incorporate similar practices of generosity and intentionality in your holiday spending this year? ([01:22:13])
4. The sermon highlights the importance of community involvement, such as distributing hygiene kits and socks. What are some practical ways you can engage in community support for the homeless? ([01:33:49])
5. Considering the discussion on decent housing, what steps can you take to raise awareness about housing conditions in your area? How can you support efforts to improve these conditions? ([01:31:01])
6. How does the poem by Ian McMillan resonate with your understanding of the importance of having a place to call home? What emotions or thoughts does it evoke in you? ([01:34:28])
7. Reflect on your own housing situation. How can you express gratitude for your home and extend that gratitude into actions that support those without stable housing? ([01:30:16])
Devotional
Day 1: The Security of a Closed Door
A door symbolizes more than an entryway; it represents the security and autonomy that comes with having a place to call home. The image of a door reminds us that shelter is a basic human need and a right that should be accessible to all. It is a place of refuge where one can find peace and make choices about their life. [01:34:28]
Isaiah 58:7 - "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
Reflection: How can you help provide the security of a 'closed door' to someone in need within your community?
Day 2: Generosity as a Path to Greater Good
The Greater Good Project is a testament to the power of collective generosity, especially during times of celebration. It challenges us to look beyond our own desires and to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of others. This act of giving is a reflection of the interconnectedness of all lives and the shared responsibility to care for one another. [01:22:13]
Hebrews 13:16 - "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Reflection: What can you sacrifice this holiday season to support someone else's fundamental need for shelter?
Day 3: Housing as a Foundation for Recovery
Stable housing is not merely a structure; it is the cornerstone of personal stability and societal equity. Organizations that provide support to the unhoused show that with the right foundation, individuals can rebuild their lives. This belief in housing as a human right is essential for creating a just and equitable society. [01:24:35]
Leviticus 25:35 - "If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the stability and recovery of someone facing housing insecurity in your community?
Day 4: The Moral Imperative of Equitable Housing
The harsh reality of housing inequality calls for a moral response. Equitable housing is a goal that requires active community involvement and a commitment to eliminating discrimination. Everyone deserves to live in a space that is safe and free from prejudice, a place where they can thrive. [01:31:40]
Jeremiah 22:3 - "This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place."
Reflection: In what ways can you advocate for equitable housing and fight against discrimination in your own community?
Day 5: Advocating for Affordable Housing
The struggle many families face to afford housing is a systemic issue that requires societal change. Reflecting on the disproportionate amount of income spent on housing by some families highlights the need for advocacy and policy change to ensure access to decent housing for all. [01:27:59]
Proverbs 31:8-9 - "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Reflection: What actions can you take to support policies that ensure affordable housing for those in your community?
Quotes
"It's not much to ask, just a door to lock, a door that won't break when someone kicks it. A door with a keyhole to respond to that knock or not; it's my choice. It's broke, so let's fix it—the world, I mean, not the door." [01:35:06] (Download)
"The world must respond to this simple truth: let's all have a door, let's all have a roof. Food then light and heat. Somewhere to stay is what we all need, somewhere to be—me and not just someone you blindly ignore." [01:35:57] (Download)
"The invitation here at First Unitarian is to contribute to the greater good fund that we fundraising that we do this December out of a percentage or as a percentage of your overall holiday spending." [01:22:13] (Download)
"A lot of the families that we encounter that we walk alongside every day probably would say to you they've never really had a home; they've had a lot of places that they've stayed but they've never really had what we've described as a home." [01:31:40] (Download)
"It's not affordable to spend 80 to 90% of your income just on housing alone; it leaves very, very little for the other necessities in life." [01:28:43] (Download)
"Our families are not in decent housing, most of them that are spending upwards of 80 to 90% of their income... she was renting a single family home and it not only had black mold and a whole host of problems." [01:31:01] (Download)
"Family Promise of Greater Rochester will have achieved success when affordable, decent, equitable housing is seen as a human right and every family has a place to call home." [01:26:24] (Download)
"Stability families will pay at Market or below Market rent and contain transitional housing for up to 2 years while establishing a rental history." [01:24:35] (Download)
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