Shelter!

Food, clothing, and shelter are what all people need to survive, right? Mercy Housing thinks so and we’re celebrating Human Rights Day because our work is a daily pursuit of human rights for the people that need it most. In this video, our President & CEO, Jane Graf’s story offers an interesting look at a career based on the simple notion that “housing is a human right.”

OK, But What Can I do About Human Rights?

Improving human rights can sound overwhelming — not something your average person can throw on their to-do list. But here’s an inspiring quote that might give you an idea of where to start:

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Close to Your Home

We can all begin “close to home” by making sure everyone in our hometown has a place that they can call home. Our website has regular blog and news updates to help you stay up to date with affordable housing and homelessness issues. Staying informed is a good way to start, and affordable housing is in the news a lot lately.

What if Everyone Had a Home?

That’s a good question. As a country, we don’t really know what that looks like yet. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness and HUD, roughly half a million people experiencing homelessness on any given night. Until we collectively decide to take on housing as a human right, everyone in the U.S. won’t have a stable, affordable home. What’s certain is that when people do have a home, they can focus on important things beyond where they’re going to sleep — like where they could get a better job or go back to school.

Get Involved With Human Rights Near Your Home

Volunteer with Mercy Housing or donate!