Affordable Housing - Catholic Community Services

Trouble on the Home Front
By Very Rev. Kenneth Haydock
Very Rev. Kenneth
Haydock is the
Episcopal Vicar for
Catholic Charities
of the Archdiocese of
Seattle, and the chair
of the Board of Trustees
of Catholic Community
Services and the
Archdiocesan
Housing Authority.
The blazing hot housing market has brought great
satisfaction to many homeowners, who have
watched the value of their home skyrocket. But
there is a dark side to the housing boom. Why
People who are homeless find it increasingly difficult
to locate affordable housing. Many of these people are
battered and abused spouses who have fled for their
lives, and people who have lost everything as the result of
catastrophic illness or unemployment.
Workers who earn a minimum wage find it increasingly
difficult to rent affordable housing, let alone purchase
a “starter” house. The average cost of a house in King
County is $375,000. Many elderly people who live on fixed
incomes face three challenges: the cost of decent housing,
the cost of medical care, and the cost of food.
All human beings have a right, in justice, to affordable
and adequate housing. Societies that place no value on
providing safe and affordable housing risk instability, as
we have seen in many inner city environments. In order
to reinforce the quality of family life and provide stability
for families, we must work to provide as much affordable
housing as possible for all citizens of our community.
Cities throughout the United States have made it a
priority to shelter the homeless and to provide affordable
housing for people with low incomes. Government
agencies at all levels have joined with foundations and
civic groups to address this need. In many cases, churches
and nonprofit organizations have assumed the mantle of
leadership in this area.
The Archdiocesan Housing Authority of the
Archdiocese of Seattle works creatively and tirelessly
to address the need for affordable housing in Western
Washington. AHA sponsors shelters for people living on
Seattle’s streets. Among them are the St. Martin de Porres
Shelter, which provides a meal and a bed at night for
homeless men. Noel House is a shelter for women. Sacred
Heart Shelter serves women, children and families. The
Lazarus Day Center provides a meal and a place to stay
during the day.
Sacred Heart Shelter in Seattle serves women,
children and families.
AHA also developed and manages five housing
facilities for farm worker families in the Skagit Valley and
Southwest Washington. Three additional projects are
under development.
Individuals with very limited resources also have
access to affordable AHA housing subsidized by the
government. Chancery Place and the Josephinum in
Seattle are examples of this type of housing.
One area of great need is rent subsidy, that is, Section
8 vouchers provided at the federal level. This program is
the cornerstone of direct federal support and is being cut
by the current administration, exacerbating the problem
significantly. Many new projects are not feasible unless
they can get project-based Section 8 support. Also, the
reduction of vouchers for people with low incomes
significantly reduces their access to housing because they
cannot afford rent.
AHA oversees 1,600 housing units throughout
Western Washington. Many of the housing sites also
provide services for residents, such as counseling and
food programs.
AHA is a strong advocate for adequate and affordable
housing, but it cannot do this work alone. Stable family
life and access to affordable housing for all people require
that each one of us find a way to work with our local and
regional leaders to encourage them to continue to sponsor
such programs. Likewise, as responsible stewards, we are
called to volunteer our time and to assist financially to
ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
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