The Housing Crisis & Christian Responsibility

In light up the upcoming theological conversation, ‘Hovels, Havens & Homes’, being hosted at Ramsey House on Tuesday the 11th of August, Dr. Andrew Shepherd issues a challenge to all followers of Jesus to be a part of the solution to the housing crisis here in Aotearoa. More information on the event can be found here.

During the last fifteen years we have enthusiastically adopted Dave Dobbyn’s song “Welcome Home” as a de-facto national anthem, and ignored the counter-evidence – that making home in Aotearoa New Zealand is becoming increasingly difficult.  Insufficient houses being built to meet demand means house and rental prices continue to rise, and many New Zealanders suffer the health consequences of living in sub-standard housing.  

Wilful ignorance has eventually come to an end and it is now widely accepted that we are confronting a “housing crisis”. As with other crises of our time – climate change, water quality – this is a “wicked” problem.  A number of realities – tax policies that favour investment in rental properties over superannuation savings and the lack of a capital gains tax; increasing compliance and construction costs; house construction not taking place in the areas of greatest need – means there is no simple solution to this complex problem.

Also, as with other crises – climate change, COVID-19 – the housing crisis exposes extant inter-generational and socio-economic inequalities. “Baby-boomers” born during New Zealand’s “golden-years” live in large houses and are able to get away to their holiday homes, while “millennials” take on huge mortgages or relinquish the Kiwi aspiration of home-ownership.  The wealthiest are able to design and build epic-sized, eco-friendly houses, while others are destined to make home in old, cold, damp and overcrowded buildings.  For a growing number, there is no “home” – sleeping takes place on a friend’s couch, in one’s car, or on the street.  And, for many, “home” is not a safe haven at all, but rather a place of destructive violence from which they seek escape.

Hospitality and care for the homeless is one of the primary ethical imperatives given to the Church (Matt 25:31-46; Rom 12:13).  So what does it mean for the Church to be hospitable and respond faithfully in this moment?

Firstly, it is critical that the Church educates itself, becoming aware of how the existing housing crisis has developed.  Such knowledge allows the Church to then intelligently advocate for policies that address the problems.

Beyond education and advocacy the Church also has the opportunity to actively construct an alternative reality.  The Prologue of John’s Gospel announces that:

The Word became flesh and blood,
    and moved into the neighbourhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish.
(John 1:14, The Message)

For John, the good news, is that Christ, the WORD, who brought all being into existence, enters into our sphere, revealing God’s glory in the ordinariness of making home.  This incarnational principle – relocation, making home, generosity and authenticity – has been a defining feature of mission within the Diocese and throughout New Zealand over recent decades.  We’ve witnessed an emergence of intentional missional communities providing places of refuge – temporary and longer-term – and seeking to assist those most affected by the existing housing crisis.  

There is, however, tremendous scope for other creative responses by the Church.  The Board of Trustees of the Diocese has been exploring the potential for utilising Church land and money to provide social housing.  Of course, this doesn’t have to be confined to Church resources.  How might Church members use the resources of land, houses, and money under our stewardship for the benefit of others?  Retired couples “down-sizing” and offering their family homes to those with larger families?  The pooling of savings to be used as liquidity for house deposits and/or to assist others to gain mortgages?  The development of rent-to-buy schemes?   

Early in John’s Gospel, two intrigued individuals encounter Jesus and ask “where are you staying?”  Jesus’ responds: “Come along and see for yourself” (Jn 1:38-29).  The challenge for the Church is to respond to God’s welcome by welcoming others and creating places of dwelling that provide new life and hope for all. 

By Dr Andrew Shepherd
Andrew is a Lecturer in Theology and Public Issues within the Theology Programme, University of Otago.  He is based at the Anglican Centre in Wellington.