Washington D.C., Jun 15, 2023 / 10:20 am
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is urging Congress to support affordable housing measures as high rates of inflation continue to cause increasing housing and rent costs for American families.
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, who serves as the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, which outlined the USCCB’s policies. The letter was also signed by Catholic Charities USA Vice President of Government Relations Anthony Granado.
“Robust investments in federal housing programs equip families and communities with the resources they need to thrive,” the letter reads. “... A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor and other vulnerable persons. It requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.”
The letter cautions that housing makes up a large portion of family budgets, with about 10.7 million low-income renters spending more than half of their income on housing costs. It notes that the Catholic Church is the largest private provider of housing services for the poor but that they lack the resources to support everyone in need.