Action Item for Housing Inequities

The theme for March for the Justice Jubilee Year is Housing inequtities. At mass this weekend we discussed how to take action on this important topic by writing to your Senators, encouraging them to Vote No on HB 595 . Attached you will find a sample letter you may use to send to your Senator(s). We hope this is helpful and thank you for taking action in our pursuit of affordable housing for all members of our community.

Dear Senators

I am writing to ask you to vote no on HB 595. I am a member of St. Pius V or St. Vincent de Paul parishes in south

St. Louis. Our faith grounds us in the gospel values of caring for one another, but particularly for those who have

the least. (Matthew 25:40). Church teaching in Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), strongly states that every person

has basic rights, including shelter. And one of the four pillars of Catholic social teaching is subsidiarity. Simply

stated, subsidiarity means that any societal task is first assigned to the smallest group possible that can perform it.

Decisions that can be made on the local level should not be made by the state.

Those who are marginalized by poverty or disability face tremendous challenges in securing shelter. Missouri

landlords now have the right to discriminate by refusing to rent to applicants whose primary income is child support,

alimony, or Housing Choice Vouchers. Vouchers have been effective in reducing homelessness for those with low

incomes, the elderly, people with disabilities, Veterans, and people experiencing debilitating health challenges.

Children account for 40% of voucher recipients in Missouri. In 2024, homelessness increased by 52% for families

with at least one child. Only 1 of 4 eligible households overall receive a voucher At the same time, in many

communities more than 70% of landlords refuse to accept housing vouchers.

Decisions about housing policies should be made at the local level. If there are cities and counties in Missouri who

have or want to pass ordinances that prohibit discrimination based on the source of income to create better housing

opportunities for low-income families, then we should allow them to do so. HB 595 prohibits local governments from

making policy choices that meet the needs of their communities. Please vote NO on HB595 when it comes to the

Senate floor.

Thank you for considering our comments, and for your public service.

Name Address