Matthew 19:19 NIV
"...Love your neighbor as yourself..."
As we approach election day, be mindful of the need to create affordable housing for the vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations include the homeless, poor, persons with disabilities especially. Many times we believe that because we have housing, transportation, food, amenities, luxuries, etc., that we don't need to vote. Understand that your vote will make the difference for your neighbor who could be living on the streets, suffering with an untreated mental health condition, afflicted with a substance abuse, etc. Remember, each of us have the spirit of advocacy in us through Jesus Christ, the first Advocate. Advocacy is a very good understanding about an issue and refers to any activity (voting) that changes policy to support that issue.
- Understand each time you speak with a Legislature or Congressperson about any issue, you are advocating;
- Understand each time you meet with a Legislature or Congressperson, you are advocating;
- Understand each time you write a letter to a Legislature or Congressperson, you are advocating;
- (Letters also represent 100 persons in your district at local/state level or 1,000 persons at national level);
- Understand each time you testify before Legislatures/Congress, you are advocating; and
- Understand each time you contact the White House, you are advocating. Smile.
During this election season, understand the issues your elected official stands for or a candidate seeks to resolve. When contacting your state Legislature or Congressperson, ask good questions that speak directly to the housing crisis in America and in your region. Understand the role of committees your elected official serves on.
Did you know that the Ways and Means Committee, Finance Committee, Housing, and Budget Committees make the decisions about how money is allocated for affordable housing in your district? Does your elected official serve on any of these committees? Do you know what affordable housing issues your elected official voted for since holding office? All of this information can be found at
www.Senate.gov or
www.House.gov. Did you know that the Health Committee makes decisions about affordable housing as well (homelessness)?
Understand that one out of every four homeless persons have a severe mental health condition. According to NAMI, the number one reason these persons are homeless is lack of affordable housing!
Understand that the average person who receives SSI for one person must pay 99 percent of that income for housing today. For example, a person who receives $600.00 each month from SSI, must pay $594.00 of that check towards rent/housing based on the housing costs today. That leaves $6.00 left for food, healthcare, utilities, transportation, etc. This situation creates homelessness, substance abuse, depression, crime, etc.
When we ignore our neighbors who are vulnerable, we fail to live by the teaching of Christ to love thy neighbor as ourselves. Be encouraged that together we can advance God's Kingdom by loving thy vulnerable neighbor this election season to make a difference.
NOTE: October is national mental health awareness month. The silver ribbon is the national symbol for raising awareness. The sterling silver ribbon can be purchased from any NAMI office or online at
www.nami.org. Passing the peace,
Posted By: agnes levine
Friday, October 22nd 2010 at 9:23AM
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