SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2018-2019 © Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2018. You may download, display, print or reproduce this material for personal or non-commercial use, as long as you acknowledge the copyright holders. All other rights to the material are retained by the original copyright holders. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

Making a home for everyone in our land A Place to Call Home Making a home for everyone in our land

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2018–19 confronts the growing challenge of homelessness and housing insecurity in Australia.

Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35)

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

A priest and a Levite saw the man, but passed by on the other side of the road.

But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them.

Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

The Samaritan gave the innkeeper two denarii and told him: ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’

Like the Samaritan, we see wounded people every day in our streets, desperately in need of help. They are the homeless and the lost, injured by misfortune, by violence and by poverty.

How can so many people be on the streets of such a rich nation? And how has housing in Australia become so unaffordable?

Australia used to have high levels of home ownership. and house prices are rising, faster than wages. But home ownership rates are falling,

Australian cities have among the least affordable housing in the world Australian cities have among the least affordable housing in the world. Even regional and remote areas experience high costs of housing.

Last Census there were 116,000 homeless people in Australia. were in housing stress. 53,000 requests for housing help had to be turned away. We need 270,000 more affordable homes.

Who is especially vulnerable to homelessness?

People experiencing domestic violence Those living with mental illness Older people People who are unemployed Low-paid workers People leaving prison Indigenous Australians Refugees and asylum seekers.

Housing is a human right.

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services … (UN Declaration of Human Rights, Art. 25(1)

The Church’s social teaching places secure housing alongside other basic human rights including food, work, education and health care.

Housing … is fundamental to the wellbeing and equal opportunity of every citizen. Social exclusion is inevitable where secure and affordable housing is lacking. (Social Justice Statement 2018–19, p. 11)

Pope Francis has challenged the policies and economics of exclusion:

How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium)

POPE OPENS FREE LAUNDRETTE FOR HOMELESS The Pope has taken many practical steps to help homeless people in Rome. POPE OPENS FREE LAUNDRETTE FOR HOMELESS

His example shows we need to be involved – as individuals in our local and Church communities as a nation.

Governments need a plan for:

Assistance for low- income groups – We need to increase unemployment allowances and rental assistance We need better security for long- term renters.

More social and community housing – State and local governments must cooperate to ensure more affordable housing in developments.

We must confront the reasons why housing prices are so high – for example: Speculative investment Tax concessions Low supply.

Church and community have a role.

Vinnies, Diocesan organisations, the religious orders and other Church organisations do great work. The Australian Catholic Housing Alliance helps parishes and dioceses to find new uses for Church property.

What can we do as individuals?

Like the Good Samaritan, each of us can make a difference. For example: We can make sure all are welcomed in our parishes We can volunteer or donate to Vinnies, CatholicCare, and others We can raise awareness in parishes, talk to MPs, engage with community organisations.

A Place to Call Home

Jesus shows us the Good Samaritan as our model. Jesus knew what it was to be homeless: The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. (Luke 2:7)

Pope Francis says: Blessed are the hands that reach beyond every barrier of culture, religion and nationality, and pour the balm of consolation over the wounds of humanity.

Australia needs to become more willing to address homelessness – its causes and consequences.

Everyone deserves a place to call home.

Pick up a copy of the Statement – www.acsjc.org.au.

For practical suggestions pick up the leaflet Ten Steps Towards Making a Home for Everyone in our Land.

Australian Catholic Social Justice Council Acknowledgements: https://beta.freelyphotos.com/ https://commons.wikimedia.org https://pixabay.com https://unsplash.com David Brennan Sarah MacRaild Australian Catholic Social Justice Council