St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ann Arbor
Affordable Housing Task Force

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HELP DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES ST. FRANCIS COMMUNITY LIVES THE GOSPEL BY  HELPING THE HOMELESS THANK YOU St. Francis for: “I lived in your Men’s Shelter in March of this year and appreciated the hospitality." “I am going through bankruptcy and if it wasn’t for the car St. Francis gave me I would not be able to keep the jobs I do have.” “I can shop at the RUMMAGE SALE and know that I can purchase quality goods for my family that I can afford.” In  Ann Arbor there are over 600 persons who do not have a home. There are about 189 beds in organized shelters in and around Ann Arbor. St. Francis is part of RAAH ( Religious Action for Affordable Housing) and the INTERFAITH HOMELESS COALITION of Congregations addressing HOMELESSNESS.  To learn of more ways our St. Francis Community can help : Find out about Groundcover, The New Street NEWSPAPER, from Susan Beckett at:  RAAH at www.raah.org, #734-332-9023 INTERFAITH HOMELESS COALITION Paul Duke # 663,9376  Or Ron Gregg # 734-769-3127  Housing Issues The following information is a summary of TWO efforts to address this growing concern  in A2/Washtenaw County. "At any one time there are over 600 people in A2 alone who do not have a home and about 189 beds in organized shelters in and around A2.  The rest sleep in parks,Tent City, vacant lots, alleys, on church properties and in their cars,some in Briarwood's lot.. The City/County Office of Community Development estimates that thousands more are at imminent risk of losing their housing, more than half of them families with children.  About 40% of the homeless are afflicted with mental or physical disorders or addictions and there are not sufficient detox facilities or other medical counseling or job training supportive services to meet the need." Coalition of Congregations addressing HOMELESSNESS January 27th, 2010 meeting held at FIRST BAPTIST  CHURCH A2   The Two EFFORTS:   1. RAAH (Religious Action for Affordable Housing) St.Francis is a member and on the BOARD  ...   After interviewing various proposals, RAAH is coming to the point that it will have a 2yr CAPITAL FUND CAMPAIGN starting this year.(2010-2012) Recall previous the previous work was to support the MPRI/housing pilot project. This new effort would most probably be inclusive of three things: the SOS Housing First campaign(affordable family housing work), Avalon /WHAC property on Pauline to pay off that mortgage and  monies for social support services.  At this point the CAPITAL FUND CAMPAIGN'S GOAL    IS $200,000/2 YEARS.    2.COALITION OF CONGREGATIONS ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS Over 10 congregations were represented at the meeting today, January 27, 2010 hosted and organized by the FIRST BAPTIST A2. Along with First Baptist and St.Francis in attendance were:St.Mary's, St.Andrew's, Good Shepherd, Vineyard,Temple Beth Emeth,Beth Israel,Bethlehem UCC,Zion Lutheran, Trinity Lutheran.  There were clergy from these congregations as well as representatives like myself. It was a brainstorming and information gathering session. A master mailing list will be organized. We learned of the various ways congregations are making their efforts and most congregations are feeling stretched. There are various groups within the homeless population and not all will benefit from affordable housing. All need:  food,some sort of shelter and services. IDEAS generated at the meeting: Add beds at the DELONIS CENTER( the neighbors have caused some limitations to this center. ) Pressure on City/County to replace the 100 rooms lost when the Y was torn down. We learned that A2 has NO PLAN to replace those beds. Facilities needed for laundry and bathing. DAY SHELTERS Reported that 100 FAMILIES are on the wait list for ALPHA HOUSE!!! IHN involvement in the direction of this effort Homeless individuals involved in the direction of this effort the BLUEPRINT to end HOMELESSNESS is still in existence and efforts need to be more coordinated. ADVOCACY IN OUR OWN CONGREGATIONS NEEDS TO BE MORE VISIBLE Vineyard Church brings Friday dinner to the LIBERTY ST. PLAZA year round for the past 3 years. They have noticed increase in folks coming for food/meal. The above information is a summary of what I have attended in St.Francis of Asissi's name. ADVOCACY IN OUR OWN CONGREGATIONS IS VERY MUCH NEEDED. WHAT OTHER LEADERSHIP IN ST.FRANCIS SHOULD KEEP UP WITH THIS INFORMATION? WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE DONE WITH THIS INFORMATION? Mary Wakefield

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