GCE Housing for People (1992H562)

Whereas there is a shortage of affordable and suitable housing; and

Whereas children are adversely affected by housing that is not suitable; and

Whereas a disproportionate number of Canadian living in inadequate and unsuitable housing are women and children (89%); and

Whereas waiting lists for suitable housing are already excessively long and the waiting time up to two years; and

Whereas the United Church of Canada as early as 1934 at its 9th General Council acknowledged stable, adequate housing as “essential to the moral, social and material needs of the people”.

Therefore be it resolved that the Church In Society Committee of the Division of Mission in Canada through London Conference petition the 34th General Council to:

1. To re-affirm its belief in the necessity of affordable, suitable housing for the healthy development of children and essential for the physical, psychological and social well-being of family and community life; and

2. Affirm its belief that safe, decent housing is a right as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25 (1)); and

3. Call on the government of Canada to re-establish the federal housing program; and

4. Urge Conferences to call on their provincial governments to maintain provincial housing programs, and increase the number of units; and

5. Encourage all levels of government to search for innovative ways to expand the supply of housing available to people with moderate means and to enforce housing standards; and

6. Encourage United Church members to explore ways to help provide affordable housing through active participation in such programs as HomeShare, Access to Permanent Housing, community cooperative housing initiatives, supportive housing, housing Registries, Social Planning Counils, Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Plan programs, etc.

1992 ROP, p. 568