Freedom to Flourish: Housing as a Social Good

One cause of gentrification and displacement of multi-generational communities of color has been the increase of private equity firms buying affordable homes, upgrading them, raising rents, and evicting tenants. This paper focuses on housing financialization and the increasing shift from the use value of housing as a place to live to the exchange value of housing as a commodity and investment for corporate profit. After identifying the problem of gentrification and housing speculation in Oakland, California, the paper draws on ecowomanist/mujerista/feminist sources to offer a theological foundation in support of housing as a social good for the freedom of households and communities to flourish. It also argues that religious organizations have a moral commitment and role to play in offering an alternative vision of community and in organizing for housing and racial justice.