The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #29 on Resolution C003 (On Affordable Housing) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C003)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention authorize the establishment of a Task Force on Affordable Housing and Homelessness. The Presiding Bishop shall appoint the Episcopal members and the President of the House of Deputies shall appoint the Priests and Deacons and the Lay Persons to the Task Force, to be composed of thirteen (13) people, representing the diversity of the Church,  as follows: 2 Bishops, 5 Priests or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons, to complete the following work: (a) investigate and document the engagement of Episcopal dioceses and congregations in the development of permanent, transitional, supportive, and emergency housing, and in ministries that assist families and individuals to access and sustain housing; (b) recommend approaches that will increase involvement of dioceses and congregations based on best practices identified, given local needs; and (c) study and formulate a recommendation regarding the need for a Standing Committee on Housing and Homelessness, or other most effective means, to elevate and empower Episcopal engagement in addressing this long-term and complex racial and economic justice issue; said work to be completed by November 30, 2026; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Affordable Housing and Homelessness ends with the submission of their report to the 82nd General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request a budget allocation of $95,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention authorize the establishment of a Task Force on Affordable Housing and Homelessness the Unhoused. The Presiding Bishop shall appoint the Episcopal members and the President of the House of Deputies shall appoint the Priests and Deacons and the Lay Persons to The Task Force, to will be composed of thirteen (13) people, representing the diversity of the Church, as follows: 2 Bishops, 5 Priests or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons, to complete the following work:

(a) investigate  Survey and document the engagement of Episcopal dioceses and congregations in the development of permanent, transitional, supportive, and emergency housing, and in ministries that assist families and individuals to access and sustain housing; 

(b) Recommend approaches that will increase involvement of dioceses and congregations based on best practices identified, given local needs; and (c) study and formulate a recommendation regarding the need for a Standing Committee on Housing and Homelessness, or other most effective means, to elevate and empower Episcopal engagement in addressing this long-term and complex racial and economic justice issue; said work to be completed by November 30, 2026;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Affordable Housing and Homelessness the Unhoused ends with the submission of their report to the 82nd General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request that Executive Council consider a allocatione of $95,000  $70,000 budget allocation for the implementation of this resolution.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #181)