'Housing Is a Human Right' Documents Struggle For Home

With all the stories of impending foreclosures across the nation and individuals and families facing eviction and moving into shelters, Impact would like to bring attention to the documentary project Housing Is a Human Right (HHR).

Described as an "ongoing multimedia portrait of the struggle for home in New York City," HHR is dedicated to telling the first-person stories and of individuals fighting to find and create homes:

Composed of oral narratives and photographs, along with testimonies and memories of home, woven and remixed with the help of turntablist DJ Oja Vincent, this collection of viscerally honest, first-person narratives serve as a reminder that home is as tenuous a space in New York City as the shelter that sustains it.

The project is created by multimedia artists Michael Premo and Rachel Falcone, and sponsored by Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit arts service organization. You can make a donation on its behalf here.

Get involved by calling the toll-free number [phone] to share your story, comments and concerns.

WATCH:

Housing is a Human Right Teaser from Michael Premo on Vimeo.

Comments

[rememberthepoor]

The United Nations Development Program recently ranked the 11 worst countries for economic inequality, the gap between the rich and middleclass/poor. It is called the Gini ranking. United States ranked the third worst in economic inequality. With this gap and foreclosures growing every day, homelessness is becoming a very real societal issue that must be dealt with beyond the blame game.

[booki]

Housing may not be a "right" . some people, have no idea what it is like to be homeless, nor do they care.
to be without a house, a home.for whatever reason........
man's instinct is , to go home.
to deny this of any person, is denying a person of human dignity.

no one wants to be without dignity, without a home.

[rsmit70]

"Housing is a human right"

It is exactly that kind of thinking that laid the seeds for the mortgage meltdown.

[fields4ever]

wow, who knew? I thought it was greed plus willful blindness to the obvious consequences of securitizing phony mortgages based on 'stated income' and such. Surely the two Lehman Brothers staff who got in trouble for emailing each other about their doubts weren't the only ones with concerns; they were just careless and put them in writing. aren't they supposed to be financial geniuses on Wall Street? That's the reason for their big salaries, right? if so, then of course many who weren't in total denial knew they were packaging and selling lots of 'houses of cards', but they probably figured someone else would clean up the mess when it ultimately fell apart (eg taxpayers) and in the meantime they made lots of money

sure, people shouldn't have taken those loans to buy houses they couldn't afford. but brokers shouldn't have been offering them and Wall Street shouldn't have been packaging and selling them as safe investment vehicles. not to mention credit default swaps - we are paying for the actions of gamblers on Wall street who still expect to be paid big bonuses, since they have faced no real consequences, I guess. survival of the fittest and all that...

[rsmit70]

You are absolutely right about all of that. The securitizing of bad loans and the reckless risk-taking by investment banks were significant contributors to the mortgage meltdown.

But you have to ask why those bad loans were made in the first place. The mortgage market was a rock solid business for banks and lenders for nearly a century and then within the span of a decade they started making risky loans to people they never would have otherwise lended money to. Why?

Because the government encouraged them to, in some cases required them to, and eventually legitimized those loans through the mismanagement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Why would the government do that? Because lawmakers on both sides - from Barney Frank to GWB - bought into the misplaced idea that homeownership is a basic right.

Neither housing nor homeownership is a right. What is a right is the opportunity to get an education, invest in yourself, pursue a profession, and purchase/rent housing commensurate with your income.

[Trueheart]

Huh?
Housing as a human right is not what spawned third-rate quality housing disguised as luxury developments, exclusive gated communities; McMansions, second and third vacation homes which the owners couldn't afford. It is also not the mentality that persuaded greedy bankers to issue mortgages which couldn't be fulfilled, or the real estate business from lending their hand in wildly inflating property values. Nor is it the mentality which made the financial community believe they could market mortgage-backed securities as stable investment.

Shelter from the elements is a basic human need. Like food and water. Like clothing.
Our problem as a society is that we would rather spend money on prison-like public housing projects than loan money to people who want to help build their own housing, and thus create a community.

We would rather pay private, well-connected contractors to build these projects than put the tools and materials into the hands of the people who need homes.
If you want any proof of what our societal values are with respect to "housing," take a look at what has happened on the Gulf Coast, and New Orleans in particular.

[conlawprize]

oh god, these communists never give up.

housing a human right--LMFAO!

and how exactly would that be enforced? oh yeah, through a repressive government that kills the human soul and any sense of individual responsibility for your actions.

next it will be summer camp is a human right, threesomes are a human right, and well-tailored pants as well.

makes you fear for the future of the american mind.

[Lambpie]

A large population (on a normal year) of the homeless are people with mental illness. So yes, I rather think we need to try to take care of them. Many of these are vets. They've already helped take care of you. And should we always take care of the children? Absolutely. You guys are cold over there.

[Trueheart]

Don't fear for the future of the American mind.
Ever read any of our history?
What do you think "Forty Acres and a Mule" was all about?

[ETSpoon]

"What we have found in this country, and maybe we're more aware of it now, is one problem that we've had, even in the best of times, and that is the people who are sleeping on the grates, the homeless who are homeless, you might say, by choice."
Ronald Reagan, US President, actor, humanitarian

"You know, if I listened to Michael Dukakis long enough, I would be
convinced we're in an economic downturn and people are homeless and going without food and medical attention and that we've got to do something about the unemployed."
Ronald Reagan, US President, candidate, humanitarian

I never saw people sleeping in the street until the Eighties. Coincidence?

[conlawprize]

by and large, people sleeping in the streets deserves to be there. they are such miserable, diseased excuses for human beings they wouldnt even realize if they lived in on skid row or in the palace of versailles.

i dont see how liberals can turn a blind eye to george tiller crushing the skull of an about to be born baby yet care whether a self-destructive crack head has a roof over their head.

also, plenty of homeless people in france, i know im a french citizen. that socialist utopia.

[fields4ever]

are you also opposed to the five weeks of paid vacation and the safety net of national health insurance and unemployment benefits that France and other western European nations offer their citizens?

[fields4ever]

Part 2

Housing is a human right, but unfortunately, many of the 2/3rd of Americans who don't have a housing problem are not aware, or not concerned, about the 1/3rd of Americans who do struggle. It's a middle class issue too - how many of you are unable to buy a home, or have your college age kids move back in because they can't afford an apartment in this economic downturn?

Where does the money come from to build more affordable housing? Mostly from the U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). But there's not enough. Building affordable housing creates construction jobs and other economic multipliers.

What can you do to make a difference, in addition to making charitable contributions to affordable housing causes? Support increases in the Federal budget for affordable housing. Show up at a planning commission or city council meeting and support new affordable housing proposed in your town, be a Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) instead of a NIMBY (not in my backyard) advocate. Every little bit helps.

[fields4ever]

Los Angeles is the homeless capital of the United States: home to at least 40,000 homeless men, women and children. You can do something to help right now: on November 7th the United Way of Greater Los Angeles is holding its 3rd annual 5 k HomeWalk. Last year 4,000 walkers raised $500,000 and enabled 2,000 homeless individuals and families to move into permanent, affordable housing. thanks to sponsors who pay for the cost of the low-key event, all the money raised goes directly to homeless services, not fundraising costs.

check out homewalkla.org and pass it on.

here are some facts: In Los Angeles County:
Women and children make up almost 40% of our homeless population.
About a quarter of homeless people have received some college education.
One third of homeless people in Los Angeles County are at least 50 years old.
Veterans are twice as likely to become homeless as the general population.
More than 25% of families face extreme rent burden – spending more than 50% of their income on housing, putting them at great risk of homelessness

Permanent supportive housing is the most effective and cost efficient way to end homelessness. In Los Angeles, a night in supportive housing costs approximately $30, compared with: $37 in a shelter; $64 in jail; $85 in prison; $607 in a mental hospital; or $1,474 in a general hospital.

Part 2 to follow ...

[Trueheart]

"When dwellers control the major decisions and are free to make their own contributions in the design, construction, or management of their housing, both this process and the environment produced stimulate individual and social well-being. When people have no control over nor responsibility for key decisions in the housing process, on the other hand, dwelling environments may instead become a barrier to personal fulfilment and a burden on the economy." John F. C. Turner

[jane8877]

We should be going after those like NYC's Mayor Bloomberg whose idea of helping the homeless it to put them on a train, plane, boat or usually a bus to nowhere, as long as he doesn't have look at them and spoil his vision of NYC. We should also go after Bloomberg for keeping Section 8 closed for over a decade. Some of NY's stimulus money was supposed to go to getting some more Section 8 vouchers out there to people. WTH became of that? Did it somehow funnel into the raises Paterson gave his staff or into Bloomberg's bought end of term limits and his lying commercials on every 2 seconds.

We should be going after hospitals that dump still sick, sometimes dying, patients on the streets, miles from the hospital, usually while those patients are wearing nothing but a hospital gown, not even shoes or socks.

We should be going after those that still believe the Reagan lies of welfare queens. What bigger welfare queens are there than Wall Street and the banks?

If it's true the Obamas, and I'd want proof to believe it, only gave 1% of their income to charity, shame on them. Although I'll bet it's still 1% more than Reagan or the Bush family ever gave

[KingMidas]

Correction

That should not be CONSTITIUTION but Constitution. Sorry

[tdrew]

You're right! Thanks.

[tdrew]

Housing is a RIGHT?!! Sharon Jasper of Louisiana thinks it is.

The Constitution gives us the right of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness." The pursuit.....is where most people have a problem...Sharon Jasper, etc.

Many people in the U.S. have great needs, that by their pursuit, they absolutely cannot meet those needs. Every person in the U.S......should keep their eyes open, and their hearts open to the Holy Spirit's leading....and help those around us who are "pursuing," but can't quite obtain the things that they truly need.

Sharon thinks that someone else has the responsibility to satisfy her want/needs..I do not. The Constitution in no sentence, gives the government the RIGHT.....to take money from me, and give to someone like Sharon, or anyone else.

Obama thinks we should "share the wealth." Last year, his charitable giving was 1% of his gross income, our's was 16%........

The sharing that individuals give is 99% effective. In other words, 99% of the money that we give to charitable organizations/individuals.....reaches it's intended target. When the government TAKES money from me, then by the time it reaches it's intended target......only $5 out of $100 reaches the individual in need..........

Do the math!

Finally, if I, a man of meager means, can share 16% of our "wealth," then Obama and others who think the Government should take care of us should get off of their asses, and "Walk the talk"!!!!

[KingMidas]

Frankly, it is not your CONSTITIUTION that should move you to help others. It is supposed to be your CHARACTER, or your Constitution ( how you are made) that is supposed to make you want to help others.

Without that finer Character or constitutional make up, you might have to rely on RELIGION.

Without either Character or Religion, then you are lost indeed.

I can well see WHY you would not want to share anything especially MONEY with anyone. Have a great life and God forbid you need anything from anyone anytime.

[aweissnet]

Every citizen deserves a place to live and a roof over their head, regardless of how badly government has mucked up the system, job opportunities, and economy.

This is fundamental to any humane society, unless of course, ours is not. Well, maybe we're finding out it is not.

By the way, illegal aliens and foreign born--take them back to their country to find jobs and housing. Take care of the citizens, NOW. They may wind up with a revolt on their hands if these people find some strength and band together.

[KingMidas]

Poor little illegals...are they the ones preventing US citizens from getting housing? I don't think so.

Americans need to stop being so cheap and become the people they love to tell others they are...if they give you a ride in their car, they are hinting for gas money...even before you have the chance to offer.

It is that chintzy approach to life- counting every cent in a shared bill, asking someone out and expecting them to pay....that has resulted in this great fall in the economy When you have 350 million people thinking mean and cheap thoughts, the money has to disappear....you have collectively wished yourselves into poverty by being mean, patting yourselves on the back in public each time you do a good deed
( overusing the concept of hero so every paltry act that used to be commonplace behavior becomes an act of heroism), claiming tax exemptions for charitable work....the list goes on..including pretending to yourselves that poverty exists only in XXX country BUT NOT AMERICA unless the person is a lazy swine etc etc.

Grow up.

[conlawprize]

oh shall i wipe you butt as well?

if you cant find a way to afford a place to live as a renter then you havent tried hard enough. housing doesnt just appear. who do you think pays for your laziness?

[coco38]

it is an easy way out to call ALL homeless people lazy while you go home to a roof over your head. most homeless, especially those with children try hard each day to look for better work, or simply some work and housing. people fall through the cracks, people are afraid each day and some suffer from mental and emotional concerns. LAZY is the term heartless bastards use when they wish to look the other way. we've bought into the american ethic that either you are a worker bee or a lazy grasshopper........soo sad.

[Tom Joad]

Housing Security IS a human right. So is Health Security.

[conlawprize]

you my friend are a pie in the sky communist.