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Housing is such a big topic. It is “joined at the hip” with a very challenging topic to write on: Land.
We have many thoughts on Housing. Bear with us as we try to fit in what we can for writing on Housing.
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Is Housing a human right?
We think so. Without it, in many climates, you get to die or have a very miserable existence. It’s that simple. Even in equatorial climates (where you won’t freeze to death), you likely need protection from sun, rain, bugs and animals (critters) … including two-legged ones up to no good.
A place to call “your home” is fundamental.
Which brings us to the next question: Is Affordable Housing a human right?
Well, we are putting up our hand and nodding yes, emphatically, for that as a fundamental right. We have a rationale for that—that’s to do with a life-death baseline that is often embedded in Housing. But, we don’t stop there, for Housing must exhibit these 6 characteristics (at minimum):
Let’s look at each one of these. But first, an editorial rant.
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HOWEVER, we are not saying that Housing as a human right means that the government or a charity should or must pay for it. So we need to do a rant before we get into these six areas.
We live in an age of entitlement. Unfortunately, a segment of the population expects others to owe them something because of the entitlement culture we live in. It puts a burden on taxpayers to support those who are not contributing to society. Entitlement enables laziness. There are other factors that could be listed (e.g., upbringing where a work ethic was not taught or modeled).
We aren’t talking about genuine needs such as those who are ill, disabled, disadvantaged or can’t find work. We are not referring to those who are in the process of healing from an accident or brought in as temporary workers to solve a problem. There are legitimate areas of need: we haven’t listed them all.
People and families who genuinely need help should receive humanitarian and compassionate help.
Those in the Have Not position in life sometimes need a hand up to reach personal financial and housing sustainability. There will always be those whose needs are greater than they can give or provide. That’s life and part of the mystery of suffering.
Government has a valid place at the table of this discussion. After all, they are in the “business” of collecting taxes: they entered an implied economic and social transaction by collecting taxes. We aren’t saying they are “off the hook” regarding their financial involvement.
When Community is operating properly, it can work cooperatively with government and the Haves to help meet needs and reduce complexity. In plain terms, the complexities of The System (zoning, taxation, etc.) are part of the problem. Government has had its fingers in the making of this pie (we call this pie, “Red Tape”). This creates constraints and choke-points on solutions. And, Big Business and Capitalism is right there amid it all. It too has created problems and its own pie: capitalism is no angel with a halo in its zealous pursuit of wealth, profit and power.
Red tape and complexity, unfortunately, always create a mess over the long haul of time. That’s a longer discussion for a future publication on Policy (we don’t have time to write that volume yet).
When something (like Housing) is in a real mess and society is scrambling for solutions, we see validity in collaborative solutions. Solutions that remove constraints. Solutions that coordinate access to capital and expertise. Solutions that do not reward just the wealthy or those trying to make a quick buck on a development while siphoning off government coffers. Solutions that work with the latent power, grassroots energy, and dignity of those with need of Housing. Solutions that are not so bogged down that they deliver poorly optimized solutions.
We’re talking about outdated practices, legal obstacles and unworkable policies and procedures. We’re talking about inappropriate zoning rules and inflexible thinking regarding the use of land. We are talking about selfish NIMBY.
We need to Rethink some of those.
Finally, there is a problem with the word, “need.” We seem to get this word without too much effort in some contexts. For example, we need food and water or we die. Housing, however, seems to require a stronger word (as in it’s a right). The English phrase, “I need housing” just doesn’t have the same impact as “I need food” or “I need water.” When you are underwater, the phrase “I need air” comes home to roost quite quickly unless you have a source of air (like a scuba tank).
Likely, some of the problem comes with our perception of time and immediacy of impact. In the case of food, water, or air, our lifespan is soon limited by their lack of availability. Housing impacts, unless the weather is extreme, often take a bit longer to cause us major challenges. Couch surfing, living on the street, or living in one’s car stretches out the problem.
We are done with our rant. For now … if you feel like a temporary rant-detour, here are two more rant-ish articles:
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When Housing isn’t Accessible, the conclusion is unavoidable. You are being discriminated against and treated as second class. Actions speak: if you were important, then the architecture, design and features would reflect it.
Accessibility here generally means the way housing is designed and constructed (or altered) to enable persons with disabilities to live independently. You get to use a part, or portion, of a House (or whatever—let’s broaden this with a Dwelling) when Housing isn’t designed with Accessibility in mind. People that are fully Able-Bodied get to use the whole thing. That’s the key point of differentiation: whole vs part.
The gap between the whole and the part is discrimination and often involves a degree of suffering for those with disabilities. Key concepts: dismissive, unworthy, unsympathetic, rejecting.
Always remember: one bad fall or accident is all it takes for a person’s life to participate in this gap.
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So let’s pretend you get old (most of us do, it seems). Perhaps you need a wheelchair. There is nothing quite like those high cupboards. Or, bathrooms that never anticipated your wheelchair’s size: the bathroom doors and turning space are too small.
Hope you are good at using pogo sticks. Or, broom handles are good to knock down tinned food and catch the tins with a catcher’s mitt. If not, you might be stuck. Adaptability is related to age, disability, illness or other significant changes. A house that doesn’t work for you any longer creates a problem.
Some things were easier when you were younger …
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As in, “It’s a walk in the park if you have lots of money. If you don’t have lots of money, good luck!” In other words, a lack of Affordability means society permits a form of discrimination, or a modern caste system (if you prefer, a modern-day feudal system or neo-feudalism). Regardless of the terms in use, it’s the old story of the Haves and the Have-Nots: “I have. You don’t. Too bad, eh?”
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This extends, in our mind, the concept of Adaptability. Let’s say you are a senior without much in the way of family close by to help you out. As with most seniors with a few creaky joints, the idea of a fireman’s pole to get downstairs quickly in a fire drill doesn’t seem like a great idea. Or, perhaps The Grumpy Landlord decides to say NO! to your old faithful dog. Meanwhile, that nice little corner grocery store—which was a workable distance away for you and your wee little cart—has just been toasted by some mega-development’s bulldozer and wrecking ball. Their idea of progress is not your idea of progress. But you don’t have other options …
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We don’t mean gold-plated toilets or other fancy things going on. We mean it’s something that’s workable and provides reasonable shelter and a place to live. That means without you placing a call to 911 due to lousy Housing or checking out of life on planet Earth before your time. Here’s a few samples of what we mean by In-Appropriate Housing:
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If nothing is available, the formula is simple. Not Available = No Housing. The math-formula is easy to figure out. It’s a bit like 10 children with 7 ice-cream bars or donuts. Unless they learn to share, somebody is going to lose out: you are short 3 ice-cream bars or donuts. Good luck in negotiations with those who didn’t get the ice-cream bar or donut.
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