Economic Justice Task Force
Update: July 2010
UULMNJ Makes a Difference
The momentum for unraveling gains made in affordable housing reform was slowed by the key involvement of UULMNJ leaders in June. Assembly leaders have postponed action on S-1, a bill that would have abolished COAH and set back the construction of new affordable housing.
An important meeting with Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver was arranged by UU leader Joe Thomasberger from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair and attended by a group of UUs, members of other faith communities and representatives from the New Jersey Regional Coalition. Majority Leader Joe Cryan also attended and after the meeting a news release was sent out by Housing Committee Chairman Jerry Green that action on S-1 would be deferred while other approaches would be evaluated.
Also in attendance was UULMNJ President Rohn Hein, board member Rev. Charles Ortman, and Economic Justice Task Force members Arthur Perkins, Barrie Peterson, Dr. Johanna Foster, and Rebecca (Joe’s wife).
Action appears to have been delayed until the fall. Work is now underway to create a positive alternative to S-1 for introduction in the Assembly.
On June 21, eleven UUs from around the state participated in the Lobby Day organized by The Housing and Community Development Network of NJ. Through joining forces with others who attended this event, we were able to speak to a number of key legislators regarding the affordable housing issue. Throughout the summer we will be working with our congregational liaisons to encourage phone calls, letter writing and direct meetings with Assembly representatives.
Affordable Housing Action Update June 11, 2010
On June 10, the Senate passed S1, which is opposed by more than 100 housing advocacy and environmental groups, according to the Star-Ledger. Now the Assembly will consider the measure, A2057. In the coming week, please write or call your Assemblypersons and let them know how you feel about this issue. Here's a sample letter from the Economic Justice Task Force.
Update: May 25
The Affordable Housing Task Force has been hard at work learning about the proposed changes to affordable housing policy here in New Jersey. This spring, the debate continues and the UULMNJ is doing our part to keep our congregations informed and involved. What can you do to address this pressing concen?
Learn about the issue!
The issue of afforable housing can be complex, but don't let that deter you. You don't have to be a policy expert to be a voice for the moral and ethical reasons we support affordable housing across the state. Our role is to advocate for policy that reflects our values, and to ask our representatives to craft policy with these values in mind.
In response to recent policy proposals that would drastically change the way New Jersey regulates affordable housing developement, this Task Force has crafted a position paper on this issue, copies of which have been sent to our elected representatives. Please take the time to read over this statement: UULMNJ Economic Justice Task Force: Position Paper on Affordable HousingWrite a letter!
You have read about this issue, now let your representative know how you feel! Take a look at our letter template and take a few minutes to write to your representatives about why this issue is important to you. Tell a personal story, or relate the situation in your town. These handwritten letters do make a difference. Don't know where to send it? Find out who your representative is here.
Visit your legislator!
During July and August, the Legislature is in recess and representatives will be spending more time in thier home office than in Trenton. It's a great time to set up a visit! Visits work best when you can get a group of three or four people together to talk about one issue, so round up some friends from your congregation and agree to go together. Simply call your representative and explain that you would like to come in and meet with them - the office staff is usually very friendly and helpful. During the meeting, don't be afraid to ask questions about your representative's position on the issue of affordable housing. Even if you disagree, a polite conversation can let them know that there are constituents in thier district who are concerned about this issue.
If you can't visit, call!
The person who answers the phones at your local legislative office keeps a record of everyone who calls, what they are calling about, and what position they are advocating. Sometimes you might get lucky and speak with your representive directly! Feel free to ask questions. The local office can be a good source of information about your senator or assemblyperson's stance on a variety of issues. Remember to be considerate and polite when you call - the person on the other end of the phone will appreciate your compassion, even if you disagree on the subject.
A few more resources:
As always, talk to your Congregational Liaison about ways to organize in support of this issue, and thank you for taking action!
Legal Services of New Jersey NEEDS IMMEDIATE HELP FROM UUs
WHAT LSNJ DOES: Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) is a comprehensive economic justice provider giving legal assistance and advocacy for low-income people facing foreclosures, evictions, utility shut-offs, assistance needs, Food Stamp denials, unemployment claims denials, creditor collection actions, and much more. They have four regional centers and a headquarters across the State. While serving the most vulnerable people, LSNJ also has a track record of documenting poverty and human needs.
THE LSNJ FUNDING CRISIS:
New Jersey Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are joining the Lutheran and Catholic advocacy networks in urging state legislators to provide additional funding so LSNJ can continue to serve people. It should be clearly understood that the State did not actually cut funding to LSNJ; the funding crisis resulted from the Economic Recession. Up to 2007, LSNJ was receiving significant funding from the Income on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA). LSNJ received as much as $30-40 million from IOLTA in prior years.
In 2008, the amount of IOLTA money dropped precipitously due to financial conditions and the State filled in the gap of $13.2 million for LSNJ in FY2009 which ends June 30, 2009. The State has big budget problems for FY2010 due to the recession - increased needs and decreased revenues. Because LSNJ advocates and solves problems for low-income persons in many categories, funding for FY2010 is urgent. NJ UUs all over the State should contact their State Senators and Assemblypersons to urge funding for LSNJ that will permit them to continue their vital services.
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Update - January 2010
This Task Force has focused on two main issues: Affordable Housing and fighting to continue funding for Legal Services of New Jersey.
Task Force member Carol Allen provided testimony this summer in Trenton on behalf of LSNJ, and the Task Force sent out a request to all the Congregational Liaisons to contact the committee that is considering the funding sources for this program.
On the issue of Affordable Housing, the Task Force invited Arnold Cohen, from the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, to participate in a conference call to update our members on this issue. Of particular concern is the upcoming Senate, Bill S1, which would abolish the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and drastically change the requirements for municipalities around affordable housing. We will be watching and working on this issue throughout the spring of 2010.
We have also taken action on the issue of affordable housing in partnership with a coalition of faith-based groups in a Christmas-season "No Room at the Inn" press event on the steps of the Statehouse on December. 17. Mary and Joseph petitioned the Legislature and the incoming Governor for a place to stay. There has been "no room at the inn" for families in need of housing here in New Jersey. This was covered in all the major NJ newspapers, on tv and radio, and was also picked up in some national news feeds.
Read the letter that Mary & Joseph have written at www.maryandjosephnj.org.
Star Ledger - http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/no_room_at_the_inn_holy_family.html
New Jersey Newsroom - http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/mary-and-joseph-visit-trenton-seeking-affordable-housing
NJ.com - http://blog.nj.com/njv_john_atlas/2009/12/religious_leaders_joined_by_ma.html
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The following is a statement that was released to the press on behalf of a coalition of faith-based organizations workingfor affordable housing. The statement was based on the work of the UULMNJ Economic Justice Task Force.
Statement of Faith: Affordable Housing is a Moral and Ethical Issue
As people of faith, we believe that providing safe and affordable housing is a moral and ethical issue. All people, regardless of income or social status, are our brothers and sisters and deserve a place to call horne. Our faith calls us to honor the inherent worth and dignity in each person, the spark of the divine that resides within us all, and to respond with compassion and care when someone cries out for help. But we also know that faith and charity alone are not enough, and systems of poverty, homelessness and hunger must be addressed at a policy level if we are to build healthy communities in New Jersey.
In a society which is wealthy enough to be able to provide decent housing for all, how can we justify not doing so? How can we justify extreme luxury for a few and homelessness for others?
In these difficult economic times, many people are living close to the edge. A job loss or a medical crisis can mean the difference between paying rent and winding up on the streets. Many families who are working hard to make ends meet find themselves with nowhere to go, or overcrowded in small apartments. Rather than provide a social safety net that acknowledges our collective responsibility to care for one another, the state relies on a patchwork of charity and individual philanthropy to serve the needs ofthe poor. We are here to say that charity is not enough.
There is a terrible shortage of affordable housing which has existed in New Jersey for many years. Despite efforts by the courts to mandate affordable housing, many towns have been quick to adopt discriminatory zoning practices while resisting any attempt to plan for and provide low and moderate income housing. This is a trend that must be reversed.
People who work for low and moderate wages are part of our society, too. They deserve a place to call horne that is safe, clean, affordable and stable. The spirit of love and the goodness of God shines through each and everyone of us, and demands that we stand up for a more just and equitable society.
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This Christmas, Mary & Joseph were looking for affordable housing!
The UULMNJ is partnering with NJ Fair Share Housing, the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries and the Romero Center of St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral to bring attention to the issue of affordable housing. Wemet "Mary & Joseph" on the steps of the Statehouse on Thursday, Dec. 17th, as the Holy Family petitioned the Legislature and the incoming Governor for a place to stay. There has been "no room at the inn" for families in need of housing here in New Jersey. Read the letter that Mary & Joseph have written at www.maryandjosephnj.org.
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Economic Justice Task Force Statement of Purpose
The concept of economic justice is central to our Unitarian Universalist faith. The inherent worth and dignity of every human, our recognition of the interdependent web of life, and our belief that the “Beloved Community” must be realized through human effort – all of this requires our attention to how we share the wealth of our planet. As an outgrowth of these principles, we recognize the obligations of society to ensure that all people are able to obtain for themselves and their families the basic material needs of food, shelter, education and safety.
As we join together with other progressive faith communities and social organizations, Unitarian Universalists here in the United States have much work to do to bring about our “Beloved Community.” The United States has experienced an ever-widening gap in the distribution of wealth over the past 30 years. In the period leading up to the current recession, the richest 1% of the population received two thirds of the income gains while more families fell into poverty.1 Meanwhile, the minimum wage, when adjusted for inflation, fell below what it was in 1968 and it is estimated that it would take 86 hours of work a week to provide a family with their basic needs. 2
The impact of economic injustice falls most heavily on people who are at the lower end of the economic ladder. Climbing out of poverty becomes even more difficult when faced with inadequate schools, fewer job opportunities, unsafe neighborhoods, cycles of incarceration, and little or no access to health care. However, our entire society is affected by this inequality and the costs are both financial and spiritual. When we cut costs for basic human services, we pay for emergency room visits instead of preventative care and prisons instead of schools. When we participate in exploitive economic systems, anger and frustration take an emotional and spiritual toll. The recent financial collapse has demonstrated that the “interdependent web” is not just a pretty metaphor - the unchecked greed of a powerful few can have dire consequences for the rest of society.
The Economic Justice Task Force of the UULMNJ will provide both congregational and community education around these issues and will create opportunities for joint action at the state level. We have chosen to focus our efforts on these areas:
We invite ongoing participation from all New Jersey Unitarian Universalists. Please share with us your ideas, knowledge and energy as we work towards the goal of bringing economic justice to New Jersey.
(1) The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1/23/07
(2) From “How Much Do We Deserve” by Richard Gilbert, 2001
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