Housing Ministries Program Resource Sheet

Church-based Program Models

1. Community Housing Partnership is a multi-church model of congregations partnering with local Christian and secular nonprofits to offer two years of transitional housing to low-income and homeless families. 
           -Read a profile of CHP (skip to page 20 in the PDF).

2. My Friend's House is a congregation in Whittier, CA that has successfully acquired and rehabilitated foreclosed properties and converted them into homes for working poor families in need of affordable housing. 
           -Read the case study, "Entreprenuerial Ministry in Los Angeles," about My Friend's House.  

3. Salkehatchie Summer Service (visit website) is a United Methodist initiative in South Carolina through which Methodist high school and college youth can participate in weeklong summer service project rehabilitating homes for the poor and elderly. 
           -Obtain the book, Send Me! The Story of Salkehatchie Summer Service.
                                                                     
4. Korean Churches for Community Development leads the way in advancing the Korean/Asian American community's recognition and participation as full partners in society by removing  cultural, linguistic, and economic barriers through educational and economic development programs, strategic public and private partnerships, and capacity building for Asian American faith communities and community non-profits. 

Additional Tools for Church Leaders

1. HUD's 10 Things Your Faith Community Can Do To Encourage Homeownership is a free, downloadable booklet that describes strategic opportunities to help potential homebuyers in the preparation, acquisition, and maintenance phases.

2. LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) has 29 local offices around the nation that provide technical assistance to groups engaged in affordable housing and community development. 


Recommended Books for Church Leaders

1. Making Housing Happen: Faith-Based Affordable Housing Models edited by Jill Suzanne Shook. 

Training Opportunities for Church Leaders

1. The National Fellowship of Housing Ministries offers networking and training to Christian churches and nonprofits involved in housing ministries. 

2. The Enterprise Foundation holds an annual national conference in the fall on community development issues, including housing. While Enterprise is not faith-based, its previous conferences have included workshops of interest to faith-based housing practitioners. 

3. Korean Churches for Community Development hosts an annual national conference in the fall called "Lighting the Community" which includes training on home ownership and housing initiatives.