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Resolutions & Amendments

41st International Convention - Chicago, IL (2014)

Protecting Public Housing

Resolution No. 73
41st International Convention
McCormick Place
July 14 - 18, 2014
Chicago, IL

WHEREAS:

            Public housing provides home for the working poor, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and families who depend on welfare; and

WHEREAS:

            As a result of the removal of one-for-one replacement requirements in 1998, public housing has lost 20 percent of its units, resulting in a massive shortage of public housing in the country; and

WHEREAS:

            Nowadays, vouchers make up the largest affordable housing program in the country.  Although some cities prohibit landlords from discriminating against prospective tenants planning to use vouchers, most cities in the U.S. do not have such regulations. Furthermore, a number of studies have shown that people using vouchers are more racially and economically segregated than people in traditional public housing; and

WHEREAS:

            Today’s housing policies are not working for the poor or the working families, who are forced to pay for housing more than they can afford. Despite such housing crisis, the government spends far more on tax breaks for wealthier homeowners than it does on affordable housing programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME will lobby Congress and will present and support proposals directed to generate federal funding to invest in preserving and rehabilitating existing public housing, and producing new units of public and affordable housing for poor and low income families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME will develop campaigns to educate workers and the general public on the importance of supporting and providing proper funding for public housing in the country.

 

SUBMITTED BY:
Juan Fernandez, President and Delegate
Egbert Isaacs, Vice President and Delegate
Sheera S. Glass, Secretary and Delegate
Thomas Orawiec, Treasurer and Delegate
Diana Thillet, Executive Board Member and Delegate
Juliet White, Executive Board Member
Alan Mendelson, Executive Board Member
AFSCME Local 154, District Council 37
New York