The Christian Community’s Role in Affordable Housing
An age-old calling to care for neighbor, and tend to the needy
We witness the housing market fluctuate up and down, day in and day out. Some weeks we hear that the housing market is booming, and real estate is on the rise. Yet, the next week, it seems like the housing market is down. Housing prices seem to come and go as often as waves crash in and out at the beach.
Many of us can watch the housing market change and vary from the comfort of our own homes or apartments. Yet, there are still many able-bodied, working-age citizens who simply cannot find affordable long-term housing. Not to mention those who are elderly, suffer from mental or physical ailments, and even those who cannot qualify to rent.
What does God say about housing?
The UN declared adequate housing as a part of the right to an adequate standard of living in 1948. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights established housing as a basic necessity, and above all, a natural human right. Unfortunately, even with housing being considered a basic human right, hundreds of thousands still suffer from homelessness in America.
But what is God’s vision for housing? Does God call us to house those around us? Is affordable housing a form of stewardship? The prophet Micah seems to think so:
“But they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.” Micah 4:4
Beyond a simple right to housing, the book of Isaiah speaks even against displacement:
“They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat” Isaiah 65:21-22
Perhaps these verses are speaking only to the Israelites, as much of the Old Testament tends to speak to specific people in specific circumstances. Yet, we see in the Law of Moses that a right to housing is not only for “God’s chosen people,” but for all of God’s children. Not only is housing a right in God’s vision but we as the Christian community are called to meet the needs of those without housing:
“If there is among you anyone in need…do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be.” Deuteronomy 15:7-9
We see time and time again in scripture that God recognizes the need for adequate housing. Not only does God recognize it and call the prophets to speak on it, God actually calls us, the people of the faith, to ensure that everyone has access to housing.
What does Jesus say about housing?
Even though the Old Testament scripture and law blatantly address housing and God’s vision of all having shelter, Jesus still finds himself having to reiterate the point.
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me’.” Matthew 25:34-36
Yet even while Jesus acknowledges God’s vision of housing and shelter for all, we see that the Savior himself didn’t have housing throughout his ministry. With all of Jesus’ traveling, he never had his own home. Even Christ himself didn’t have a place to lay his head:
“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20
We see that perhaps the disciples and Christian community finally got the point by the time we get to the Book of Acts:
“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” Acts 2:42-47
We see here the Christian community recognizing God’s calling to care for our neighbors and to meet their needs. Not only do the believers in this passage recognize this calling, but they act on it.
What does God say to us today?
We can see God’s vision of adequate and accessible housing for all, yet times have changed since then, and the world has grown. Has God’s message changed?
As we know with all scripture, God’s word goes beyond time, and it speaks to us here and now, even in this very moment. We witness a constant calling to care for our neighbor, to steward the land, and to tend to the needy throughout all of scripture. That message has not changed even for us today.
We read these scriptures day in and day out, yet homelessness still plagues the streets, housing prices are still on the rise, and empty housing space is being underutilized in large cities nationwide. Perhaps instead of pleading and yelling at Pharaoh, we are instead called to proclaim, “Let me people go!” in the face of homelessness and unaffordable housing.
Resources and Examples:
Even though there is still much work to do, we have not lost our way. There are countless ministries and non-profits across the nation that are following God’s vision and fighting to provide affordable housing for their neighbors.
Below are resources to learn how you and your community can learn more about God’s vision of affordable housing:
Here are just a few local ministries and non-profits that are carrying on the fight for affordable housing. Donate to help their cause: