Naomi and her daughters-in-law were in search for a new home in the land of Judah where there was more food (Ruth 1.6ff). Jesus invited Zacchaeus to come down from the tree so that the two of them could go to Zacchaeus’ home (Luke 19. 1-10). Narratives abound that remind us of how important home is – whether it is a physical structure in which we abide, or a spiritual and an emotional place where we feel connected. No wonder our hearts break when we see people who do not have a place to live, or to stay; when we see people who do not appear to have connections to the community. Is it any wonder, then, that we have worked so diligently to fulfill our social contract to ensure that everyone has a safe place to live?
These last few decades the religious community has played a significant role in ensuring that everyone has a safe place to live in our communities--from establishing homeless shelters, to developing transitional housing programs, supportive housing programs, and building affordable housing. Through our collective efforts, joined with our non-religious partners, we have developed what is now commonly understood to be a continuum of care. What has been a progression of ministries and services has evolved into a more strategically planned and developed approach to ensuring housing for all people.
In Pierce County our faith has compelled and propelled the religious community to be at the forefront in creating and supporting a number of housing and shelter services. This issue of The Channel highlights some of these incredible ministries and organizations..
What the religious community has done and is doing is extraordinary by any measure, yet the systems that have evolved over these past few decades are not meeting the growing demand. As society changes all around us and our economic, political, and social systems are being transformed. As we watch one level of government after another reduce their budgets and re-design themselves into something different than what we have known for decades. As not-for-profit organizations struggle to remain open. As congregations seek to be faithful. As the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. As the number of people living in poverty grows to the point that 40% of single mothers are living in poverty. As the number of people being served by FISH Food Banks nearly doubles in a single year. And when there are four times more people in need of housing and shelter services than there are beds available in our communities.
We need to do something different.
We need to continue to think outside the box.
In addition to the emergency shelter system, the emergency food system, and the health care facilities, the religious community is being asked to do more. And, quite frankly, we probably can do more. But we will never fill the gaps that are being created by the drastic cuts to government spending that is happening at every level. Nonetheless, we can do more. We can be creative and innovative. We can explore ways that we can do something differently.
So, how could the religious community partner to bring together our strengths for the common good, particularly for people who are struggling with housing concerns?
One idea that we are exploring at Associated Ministries is to recruit 12 to 20 congregations, or clusters of congregations, to purchase or lease homes or apartments, or convert existing properties that a congregation already owns (a parsonage, for example). We could help the congregations find the homes/apartments, maybe even seek funding sources that would help with the purchase costs. Associated Ministries could hire a staff person specifically to work with the congregations to recruit and train volunteers. We could then identify individuals and/or families who could live in the homes at a truly affordable price --- say, $400, or $500 a month. Volunteers would be trained to walk alongside each family to provide a network of support and encouragement.
We all need a place that we can call home. Sometimes it takes two friends looking together, in the way that Naomi and Ruth were able to support each other as they wandered from Moab to Judah. Other times it takes one of us welcoming a stranger into our own home, the way that Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus. Creative approaches to finding and sharing a home can add to the social fabric that will bring warmth and hope to more people experiencing homelessness today.
Let me know what creative ideas you have about how we, as the faith community, can creatively do something more to provide housing.
Contact: Rev. Chris Morton
