Making Housing Happen: Faith-based Affordable Housing Models

by Jill Suzanne Shook (Editor), John Perkins (Foreward)

The national housing crisis is something congregations and faith-based groups often want to address, yet feel powerless to do so in the face of this daunting and confusing problem. Making Housing Happen clearly shows how churches are addressing the housing crisis from Los Angeles to New York City. The book's three parts motivate the reader to action. The first part, The Foundation, puts a face on the kind of people in need of affordable housing, provides a solid theological foundation for an affordable housing ministry, and an overview of U.S. housing policies. Part II, Tangible Structures, features housing development models, each demonstrating best practices and workable solutions illustrated by true stories. The last section of the book, Intangible Structures, discusses ways that people of faith have created affordable housing without actually building it?for example, by changing laws and designing new structures or new financial tools that have resulted in housing solutions.

Genres: Religion

Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Paul Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring set of case studies for faith-based housing development. The only drawback is after reading, I was unsure of how to get more involved! I'm starting at https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/

[Meepspeeps · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some editing problems, but it is a good compendium of different ways that faith communities have built and sustained affordable housing. There is likely a model that will work for your faith community. The last part provides some step-by-step plans to get your group started. There is a great need for more affordable housing, and faith communities may find this to be a fulfilling mission.

[Katie Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at different faith-based affordable housing projects in the USA as well as some of theological implications for why communities of faith should be engaged in the provision of affordable housing. At times, a little evangelistic and focuses on the successful aspect of projects, this can be to the detriment of actually helping form others into replicating models discussed.