14 Housing Questions
Joyce Baptist and Elizabeth B. Pearce
As you read this chapter, consider the following questions:
- When you hear the terms “homelessness” and “housing insecurity,” what emotions or images come to mind? How do these concepts challenge your understanding of stability and belonging?
- Reflect on the types of neighborhoods and housing situations you’ve encountered or lived in. What do these experiences reveal about where most families in the U.S. live—and why?
- Think about the journey to home ownership. What systemic or institutional obstacles might stand in the way, and how do these barriers reflect broader patterns of inequality? Who do you believe is most affected—and why?
- How do historical practices like redlining and bluelining continue to shape the physical and social landscapes of communities today? What impact do these legacies have on opportunity and access?
- Consider the Fair Housing Act: What do you believe its goals were, and how would you assess its success or limitations in promoting justice and equity in housing?
- In what ways do economics and power influence who gets to own a home, and who doesn’t? How does this dynamic affect generational wealth, security, and social mobility?
- Reflect on your own living environment. How has it influenced your family’s health, education, relationships, or sense of safety? What connections do you see between place and quality of life?
- Imagine a future where housing challenges are meaningfully addressed. What solutions do you envision, and what values or principles should guide those efforts? What role can you play in shaping that future?
