“How” the Faith Community Should Care About Affordable Housing

Father Gerry Creedon, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Religion and hospitality have always been linked. Our central rituals call us to share food and life. We extend the spirit of welcome beyond our faith communities when we reach out to homeless persons.

Our congregations serve in shelters and support group homes. It is time for us to take the leap from projects and service, to advocacy for affordable housing. While developers in our area build more houses with nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, the number of two- and three-bedroom rental apartments decrease for low-wage workers and immigrants—who must stand in line. As well as compassionate service, we need action for justice to protect the available stock of housing for the poor in our communities.

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Wesley Housing Offers Grace

Rev. Pamela Clark Egan reflects on what Wesley Housing means to her

The story of Wesley Housing Development Corporation began with one faithful United Methodist layperson, Mrs. Virginia Peters.

The former school teacher heard God's call to help find a way to provide adequate housing for the underserved in Northern Virginia. She became the founding director of Wesley Housing Development Corporation. This is also the story of Mr. Raymond Lynch. The developer and philanthropist found a way to give Mrs. Peters and her associates the land on which to build their first community, Strawbridge Square Apartments—home for 128 at-risk families. Mr. Lynch sold 20 acres of prime wooded real estate to Wesley Housing for $1.

Living without adequate shelter is a source of emotional pain for many low and moderate-income families. Wesley Housing helps heal that hurt through its mission to provide quality, affordable housing and supportive services to vulnerable Northern Virginians. Below, one of Wesley Housing's first residents shares her story:

I am writing this with a humble heart and a great deal of gratitude to Wesley Housing. Twenty-five years ago I was a single mom. My husband left me early in my pregnancy and I found myself struggling to support my daughter and myself. I babysat five small children during the week. I was a janitor in the evenings, and I cleaned two apartments on Saturdays. Frequently, I carried my daughter on my back as I worked. I slept little and worried a great deal. I spent most of my salary on rent.

One Sunday, someone suggested that I talk with Wesley Housing to see if I was eligible to live in their newly built apartments. I moved in on Dee. 27, 1978—a wonderful Christmas present. My rent was based on my income. It was a beautiful two bedroom townhouse, new and clean, safe, and perfect!

The day I moved out of my apartment I returned to it before I turned in my keys. I sat alone in the middle of the empty living room and cried as I thanked God for the people of Wesley Housing who offered me dignity, compassion, and grace when I needed it the most.

I now have three beautiful children. I have a degree from Wesley Theological Seminary and I am a probationer in the Virginia Conference. I am blessed to be the pastor of Sleepy Hollow UMC. It was the people of Wesley Housing who helped me believe in myself and answer my call to ministry. God bless them!"

- Rev. Pamela Clark Egan

Wesley Housing provides affordable rental housing and offers a comprehensive range of supportive services to Northern Virginia's low- and moderate-income families, individuals, seniors, and the disabled. Supported by faith communities, especially local United Methodist churches and the Board of Missions of the Alexandria and Arlington districts, government agencies, banks, foundations, corporations, and individuals, the nonprofit organization has acquired 23 communities in over 30 years of service.

For more information about Wesley Housing, call (703) 642-3830, ext. 217

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Faith Community Turns Out for Affordable Housing Conference at St. Matthew’s UMC Virginia Peters Keynotes

Over 350 members of the faith community and local officials turned out for the “Making Housing Affordable: Tools for Faith-Based Communities; conference on March 14th at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale. Sponsored by the Fairfax County Faith Communities in Action (FCIA) organization, the conference featured a range of speakers and workshops highlighting the current housing crisis in Northern Virginia. FCIA’s Chairperson, The Reverend Ronald F. Christian, enthusiastically welcomed the many faith leaders who turned out to address the critical issue of affordable housing.

Virginia Peters, Wesley Housing’s founder, energized the attendees at the conference luncheon. Ms. Peters explained that she had no background in real estate, financing, construction, or architecture when she started Wesley Housing with the support of the United Methodist Churches of Northern Virginia. “The church decided that beyond building more churches for people to worship in, there should be local missions to help meet the needs of people in our neighborhoods,” said Ms. Peters.

Ms. Peters identified decreasing federal funding as a major problem for affordable housing. “In the last 25 years, tax breaks for homeowners have quadrupled. During this same period, budget authority for low-income rental assistance fell from $77 billion to $24.6 billion.”

She encouraged faith communities to get involved in building stronger communities by supporting affordable housing efforts or designing effective mission programs. “There is a formula to our success,” she said. “Find guides to show the way and be willing to take a leap of faith.”

Speaking in support of increasing affordable housing opportunities in Northern Virginia were local religious leaders representing the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia; Congregation Olam Tokvah; Catholic Diocese of Arlington; the A.D.A.M.S. Center; Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and the Mount Vernon Baptist Association. The FCIA conference was hosted by St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale. “I’m thrilled that my home church was the site for a conference on affordable housing,” said Nancy Minter, Chair of Wesley Housing’s Board of Directors.

Attendees participated in six workshops to help faith communities get involved. One key session was “Building Stronger Communities: Producing Affordable Housing Independently or as a Housing Development Partner.”

Other featured topics: Developing Housing for Persons With Disabilities; Support Services for Families in Transitional Housing; Permanent Affordable Housing; Effective Advocacy for Affordable Housing; Becoming Housing Choice Voucher Landlords; and Individual and Group Volunteers in Affordable Housing Communities.

Martha Stokes, the UMC Virginia Conference Chairperson of the Commission on Disabilities, was a panelist for the disability workshop. Kathy Morton-Paal, Wesley Housing’s Director of Community and Volunteer Services facilitated the supportive services workshop.

Conference Sponsors: Chevy Chase Bank; Fannie Mae Northern Virginia Partnership Office; Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND); the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development; and Fairfax County Department of Systems Management for Human Services—Community Interfaith Liaison Office.

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Area Church Member Makes Posthumous Property Donation to Wesley Housing

July 2001, Vienna, VA

Wesley Housing recently became aware of the generosity of the late Mary Kay Rumph, who left her former home to Wesley Housing in her will. Located in Vienna, VA, the property was sold for $179,000. Wesley Housing will likely use the proceeds to create a rental assistance fund to help residents in Wesley Housing apartments, and for future real estate developments.

Mrs. Rumph, who passed away last June, had not been known to Wesley Housing. But through outreach education at her church, Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna, Mrs. Rumph learned about our mission and work. Wesley UMC held Wesley Sundays for many years, and included Wesley Housing in their budget. The church's United Methodist Women also contributed to Wesley Housing.

"For years to come, Mrs. Rumph's generosity will help many families who are facing a housing crisis," said Wesley Housing President/CEO Al Smuzynski. "We're honored that our work inspired an individual to join in our mission and include Wesley Housing in her will."

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