ABOUT
“Any person or family that, without any direct fault on his or her part, does not have suitable housing is the victim of an injustice.”
- St John Paul II
The Housing Justice Team is a diverse, grassroots group based at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Tigard. Formed in 2024, we emerged after a series of listening sessions in the parish where housing insecurity was identified as a major concern in our community. Our mission is to advocate for tenant rights and contribute to systemic housing solutions through a collective process of prayer, listening, learning, discernment, and action. A key example of this process was in November 2024, when we brought together over 230 people, including 5 key representatives from all levels of local government, for our inaugural Housing Justice Celebration (see below).
Guiding Principles
"A house is much more than a simple roof over one’s head. The place where a person creates and lives out his or her life, also serves to found, in some way, that person’s deepest identity and his or her relations with others.” " (John Paul II, 1987)
Our vision is to help ensure that everyone has a home where they can flourish. We all have the right to housing, but we must also live in a place that provides the necessary conditions to grow, develop, thrive, and reach our fullest potential as individuals and communities.
To realize this vision, our work is guided by the following principles—deeply rooted in our Catholic tradition yet relevant and applicable to all.
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Housing insecurity damages human dignity and prevents people from thriving.
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When affected people take the lead in developing solutions, their dignity is affirmed.
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Housing problems destabilize families and communities, affecting society as a whole.
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Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live and thrive.
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We all share the responsibility of achieving housing security for all.
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We are called to collaborate on solutions that address immediate needs and structural causes.
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The most vulnerable groups must be prioritized when working to find housing solutions.
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Workers deserve fair wages that allow them to pay for quality housing.
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The housing and climate crises are linked.
Current Action Opportunities
Advocacy Day (May 21st)
Join the St Anthony Housing Justice Team and other concerned community members as we travel to the state capitol to advocate for housing justice! Together, we will meet with legislators to call for policies that uphold dignity and ensure stable, affordable housing, so all can have a home where they can flourish. Email drauda@satigard.org to join the interest list.
Share Your Housing Story
If you have experienced a housing challenge, we invite you to share your story with us. Your voice matters. By sharing, you help us bring real experiences to legislators during our May 21 Advocacy Day, shaping the solutions and actions we pursue together.
Host Us At Your Church or Community
We are committed to bringing the conversation about housing justice to communities across the region. Our team would love the opportunity to share the impactful work we’re doing to address housing challenges, highlight powerful member stories, and introduce the key policy solutions we're advocating for. We also want to hear from your community—listening to your members’ housing experiences and exploring additional solutions together. Email drauda@satigard.org to learn more and schedule a date.
Tenant Rights Education Conference
Tentatively scheduled for late summer. More details coming soon!