|
Ways to Connect with Housing |
How Congregations Can Help
• For best practices and to develop a passion for church-developed housing
for low-income neighborhoods read, “Rebuilding Our Communities, How
Churches Can Provide Support, and Finance Quality Housing for Low-Income
Families” by World Vision, 1992 (available in the Knoxville HUD office,
545-4384).
• Partner with local coalitions, groups and associations and help meet the
needs and donate money for housing efforts.
• Assist with minor home repairs.
• Provide affordable rent apartments or houses for low-income families.
• Encourage members and landlords to reduce profit and charge affordable
rents.
• Young mothers with babies are aging out of foster care, congregations
might consider offering transitional shelters for them. See
Foster/Adoption chapter for contacts.
• Invest in at-risk areas of town by purchasing supplies and supplying
labor to improve housing (through painting projects, home repairs).
• Provide transitional supportive housing for special groups of people
ready to leave shelters, but not ready to live totally alone. Area
agencies would work with your church to provide case management and
professional expertise. Some groups that could benefit from a connected
supportive Christian household would be: young moms and babies, families
coming out of domestic violence shelter, and young adults exiting the
foster care system.
Help These Organizations Develop Affordable Housing
Habitat for Humanity: Kelle Shultz, 523-3539
Neighborhood Housing, Inc.:
Steve Pierson, 524-2774
• Working with government to develop affordable housing.
• Minor home repair program that utilizes volunteer labor.
Helen Ross McNabb: 330-7790
Secure housing for persons with special needs.
Knox County Housing Partnerships: Corky Neal, 637-1679
Inner-city development.
Positively Living: Dee Crumm, 525-1540
Secure housing for people with HIV/AIDS.
Cerebral Palsy Center: Bob Sexton, 523-0491
Secure housing for persons with special needs.
For advice with difficult questions: contact the U.S. Dept. of Housing &
Urban Development:
Keith Richardson, 545-4389 |
|
