Press Release: A Call to Recognize Housing as a Human Right
In her compelling book, And Housing for All: The Fight to End Homelessness in America, Maria Foscarinis, a leading advocate for homeless rights, argues for housing to be recognized as a fundamental human right. With over 35 years of experience, Foscarinis details the complexities of homelessness, illuminating systemic failures rather than personal shortcomings as the primary drivers of this crisis.
Foscarinis shares poignant stories that highlight the harsh realities faced by individuals like Danny, whose job led him to experience frostbite from nights spent on the streets, and Dominique, a working mother who still couldn’t afford rent despite holding multiple jobs. These narratives challenge stereotypes about homelessness by revealing its widespread nature across urban, suburban, and rural areas.
The author critiques historical policy failures from the New Deal era to Reagan’s drastic funding cuts in the 1980s, which have compounded the affordable housing crisis. Instead of providing solutions, governments often resort to criminalizing homelessness, further stigmatizing those in need.
Foscarinis advocates for the "Housing First" model, successfully employed in Finland, which prioritizes stable housing before support services. Despite its potential, U.S. implementation remains limited by funding shortfalls and a severe lack of affordable housing.
Ultimately, Foscarinis emphasizes that addressing homelessness requires a shift in political will and an acknowledgment of housing as a human right, urging society to choose a future where homelessness is eradicated.
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