Proverbs 31: 8-9 instructs us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is about influencing those who make policy decisions.
Advocacy is about transforming systems.
Advocacy is about making changes in public opinion about policy issues that affect the financing and production of housing so more people can live in safe, decent and affordable homes.
Habitat for Humanity International defines “advocacy” as “working to influence public opinion and transform systems that lead to the creation and preservation of housing for all, with the ultimate goal of ending poverty worldwide.”
Choose a housing-related topic you support and write a letter formatted like this:
__________, 20__
Dear _________________________,
As a Habitat for Humanity supporter committed to helping reduce poverty worldwide and increasing the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance, I ask that you support and co-sponsor the bipartisan Shelter, Land and Urban Management Assistance Act of 2009, HR 1702.
More than a billion people, one-sixth of the world’s population, live in slums - in abysmal housing without adequate access to clean water and sanitation. The UN estimates that this number will double in 30 years if nothing is done. More than half the population of the world now lives in and around cities, and slums continue to grow. The poverty and human degradation caused by slums prevents the developing world from reaching its potential. Well-planned and managed urban investments in housing and infrastructure generate jobs, foster economic growth and improve living standards.
While urban growth may be inevitable, the dire living conditions of the urban poor are not. It is time for the U.S. development assistance program to recognize that slum conditions are not naturally self-correcting, but can be improved through community-based efforts supported by committed international partners. A dedicated effort by the U.S. foreign assistance program can pay widespread dividends. Specifically:
- Slum shelter upgrading, strategic public investment, and improved security of tenure can stimulate private investment and spur economic advancement of the poor.
- Decent housing addresses a multitude of basic human needs, particularly improved health and education.
- Redeveloping the world’s slums can stimulate civic engagement and increase social stability.
The bipartisan SLUM Assistance Act addresses these issues by calling for the President to develop a strategy to establish and implement programs that foster sustainable urban development and to expand access to basic, affordable housing and essential urban services and infrastructure for the poor. The Act does not require new funding and is meant to help ensure increased effectiveness of existing programs.
Again, please co-sponsor HR 1702, the SLUM Assistance Act of 2009 and help the world’s poor work to improve their lives and living conditions.
Sincerely,
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