Last week, we re-posed some talking points from the Living In Michigan campaign so coalition members could start making the case to their family, friends, co-workers and legislators for why we need to invest in the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund (MHCDF).

Well, after doing some more research online, we stumbled across this article from the Winter 2006 edition of Shelterforce: "The Case for a Right to Housing."

In the piece, Chester Hartman, co-editor of the book A Right to Housing, makes the case for a right to housing by putting it into the context with other rights Americans have come to expect. The entire article is worth a read, but this particular passage echoes the Living In Michigan campaign's case for the MHCDF quite nicely:

Housing is more than four walls and a roof: It is part of a neighborhood and community, providing opportunities for positive social interaction and safety from crime. Housing location affects access to quality schools, jobs and community services.

The societal costs - added health services to deal with housing-linked problems such as asthma, lead poisoning, rat bites, asphyxiation, communicable diseases; emergency fire and police services; crime and incarceration; services for the homeless; and so on - of not having decent, affordable housing for all are enormous and growing. A true cost-benefit analysis might show that not having a Right to Housing is far more costly, in economic terms alone, than not implementing such a right.

Remember, if you haven't had a chance yet, be sure to join the coalition, register for Lunch on the Lawn, and contact your legislators.