Lancaster Churches Working Together in the Affordable Housing Crisis
August 22, 2024
Brianna* and Zavier* and their four children were living in a motel room after losing their housing. Finding a new place with the extra space needed for their large family was challenging, and with only one car, they also needed to find something near a bus route.
At the same time, the leaders of one church in suburban Lancaster decided they would offer the home they owned to help a family in Bridge of Hope. They decided on a monthly rent that is well below the market rate. We are so grateful for their leadership and desire to be part of the solution in this affordable housing crisis.
An answer to prayer, Brianna and Zavier recently moved into the house which is adjacent to that church’s property. The family’s new home has enough space, sits along a bus route and is located in a school district they desired. A second church provided the family’s Neighboring Volunteers, who gathered household supplies and a third church donated several pieces of furniture. It was a beautiful demonstration of Lancaster churches working together to help the family have a fresh start in their new home.
Through church collaboration like this and along with other landlord partnerships, we can celebrate that the average number of days to find housing was 52 days for Bridge of Hope Lancaster this year! That’s less than half of the average of 114 days the previous year.
You can be part of the solution too! Would your church want to Neighbor a family? Does your church have property to affordably rent to a family in Bridge of Hope? Let us know!
| Jessica Sisemore | Caleb Simmers |
| Program Director | Church Engagement and Housing Director |
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