HOMES GUARANTEE Shelter in place or “safer at home� has been essential in addressing the current pandemic. Yet, prior to the pandemic, nearly 40 million people faced some level of housing insecurity or rent- and mortgage-burden.16 Furthermore, too many low-income rental units are in a state of disrepair leaving many marginalized communities to deal with lead paint, leaking roofs, mold, and other toxic issues. A majority of people are one or two paychecks away from being evicted, while many Asian and Pacific Islander, Black and Brown communities are continually displaced due to land speculation and gentrification. The current pandemic and the climate crisis exacerbate these challenges. Our homes must not be commodified in ways that leave people out. Our homes, in all forms, must be secure, safe, affordable, healthy, and central to a thriving community. 16 30
Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University
