Title
Resolution declaring housing as a human right.
Body
Whereas, a recent report by Research for Action found over 31,000, or 1.8 percent of K-12, students in the state experienced homelessness in 2018-19; and,
Whereas, it also shows that Pennsylvania schools under-identify the number of students facing homelessness; and,
Whereas, the number of people using Safe Haven programs has been steadily decreasing since 2014 due to the phasing out of this type of housing under HUD funding. All HUD-funded Safe Haven programs in the region ended in 2017. Eight Safe Haven beds were in use on the night of January 29, 2020. These beds are funded by the VA Grant Per Diem Program and are available only to eligible veterans referred by the VA; and,
Whereas, in the U.S., 20%-40% of homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ), while only 3%-5% of the overall youth population identifies as LGBTQ; 44% of gay homeless youth are African-American and 26% of gay homeless youth identify as Latino; 62% of transgender homeless youth are African-American and 20% of transgender homeless youth are Latino; and LGBTQ youth are twice as likely to be the victims of sexual crimes while homeless; and,
Whereas, immigrants are more likely to face barriers to enforcing their housing rights including language barriers, cultural mistrust, fear of government agencies, fear of retaliation, lack of familiarity with applicable laws, and lack of familiarity with judicial and administrative procedures for enforcing their rights; and,
Whereas, studies have shown that the most important piece of a person getting stabilized from struggles with employment, addiction, mental health issues and physical health is by having stable, long-term housing as a first step; and
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH DOES HEREBY DECLARE HOUSING TO BE A HUMAN RIGHT.
And, therefore, be it resolved, that housing shall be recognized as a human right...
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