By John Kosner
On January 11th, 1944, during his State of the Union address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed a “Second Bill of Rights,” which called for a living wage sufficient to afford food, uninhibited opportunities to quality education, guaranteed access to medical care, and “the right of every family to a decent home.” The intention behind these demands was that destitution does not have to exist. That the necessities which keep us alive, such as a place to live, are not market commodities or charity, but should be social guarantees for every person by virtue of their humanity. Without the opportunity for a secure home, the freedom one has is hollow, watered down to a privilege reserved only for those who can afford shelter. Yet today, in the United States there is a shortage of 4.7 million homes. Nearly half of households spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Over 750,000 people are experiencing homelessness, and 18 million people with disabilities qualify for housing assistance but do not receive it.
These failures are not evenly distributed. A large portion of housing does not meet the specific accessibility requirements of people with disabilities, including mobility, sensory, or functional needs. In turn, shortages of affordable, accessible housing mean a threat to independence and health for some and spotlight a collective breakdown that concerns us all. When housing is unaffordable, individuals with disabilities are disproportionately swept into unstable living situations: not due to an inherent or inevitable reason, but because the market offers a dearth of options. Federal and local prioritization of equitable, accessible housing would mitigate insecurity among people with disabilities and restore housing as a condition of decency.
Accessible housing offers living spaces and environments that are intentionally designed or modified to accommodate different and distinct needs. A few of the many features that could be incorporated into an accessible home are widened doorways, outlets and light switches within reach, low counters, ramps, or roll-in showers. Features like this, which are tailored to everyday functional needs, allow people to live with autonomy.
At the federal level, addressing inaccessibility includes funding public housing, bolstering the Fair Housing Act, and using the National Housing Trust Fund to both remodel or construct apartments, condominiums, and homes. The government can mandate universal design within federally funded housing by encouraging states to emphasize accessibility in zoning and development. Without these interventions, the right to a decent home for everyone will remain unattainable to millions and rationed by economic status instead of fundamentally granted to all.
Locally, to address housing inaccessibility and insecurity, community organizations and nonprofits partner with housing authorities to deliver care services while advocating for current and prospective residents. These efforts can include pinpointing unmet housing needs, fair housing testing and legal services, and home modifications. Within Chicago, Centers like Access Living offer extensive support services, skills training, peer counseling, and youth programs. The Chicago Housing Authority and Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund provide affordable housing options, rental assistance programs, and aid long-term housing stability. Development of and backing for programs like these across the country would help alleviate the pressures placed on those looking for a home.
The right to a decent home endures today, and that right must include housing that individuals of all abilities can live in. People deserve the resources they need to live with dignity and purpose.
A number most likely lower than the true total.
