Housing: Bishops appeal to politicians, landlords and developers

Malta’s bishops yesterday appealed to politicians, landlords and developers to take note of the “emergency situations” in the housing sector and called for unity to tackle this escalating social issue.

In a pastoral letter celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Victories, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi say that “families and the elderly cannot meet the rapidly escalating rent crisis and consequently are ending up on the streets.

“The housing situation in our country demands a response of unity and solidarity from everyone, starting from us Christians.

“We are referring to the difficulties faced by some of our families, many of our young people, and several foreigners among us, who struggle to find accommodation they can afford to rent or buy.

“Young people, sons and daughters of workers, do not qualify for a bank loan because their salaries cannot guarantee the monthly payments,” they added.

“People that are going through a crisis like a separation, mental health problems or an addiction, rely on the rental market because they either do not have their own property or do not have social housing. These new situations are creating a social emergency that requires and demands a solution and commitment from everyone, whoever he or she may be. God forbid that we, as a society, become indifferent when faced with these dramatic situations that are creating a new type of poverty while also destroying so many people’s hopes, especially that of our young people.”

They appealed to Maltese society as a whole, saying: “These new situations are creating a social emergency that requires and demands a solution and commitment from everyone, whoever he or she may be. God forbid that we, as a society, become indifferent when faced with these dramatic situations that are creating a new type of poverty while also destroying so many people’s hopes, especially that of our young people.

To politicians, they said: “This is the time and this is the issue that should unite you all to find practical and effective solutions for the urgent cases that require planning in the short, medium and long-term. A timely regulation of the rental market and provision for sustainable housing would give the people who are worst hit by this crisis, the dignity of having a suitable roof over their heads.

“Let us work together so that the housing issue, be it the availability of social housing or the planning and supply of affordable housing, will not be a partisan political football that is tossed from one side to the other. The housing issue should help us rise to the occasion in order to demonstrate that we are all capable and willing to work together for the common good.”

To property owners and developers, the Bishops commented: “Everyone has the right to generate capital and to use property to increase material gain. However, this should not happen without restraint.

“If, at times, the law governing the economy may be blind and operates without scruples on the principle of demand and supply, we Christians, who have a social conscience, should also have a heart and mind that exercise restraint on the rates that regulate the buying and renting of property according to just and equal criteria, underpinned by responsibility and solidarity.

“What does it profit you in gaining the whole world, when at the moment of judgement, he who will judge you in justice and truth, tells you: ‘I was living in your property giving you your due and you turned me out on the streets to satisfy your greed?’ What does it profit you in paying foreigners a pittance for an hour for their work while at the same time depriving them of their rights? What does it profit you in turning entire families out on the streets in order to make an alternative income of thousands a month, all the while flaunting your generosity by donating substantial sums to your parish? Do you honestly think that Christ rejoices in such offerings? Or does he not rejoice more in mercy and solidarity shown to those who work and strive to provide for the family and cannot afford a rent that spiked from €400 to €900 a month?”