AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE
Affordable Housing
Westminster has a long history of working to provide safe, affordable housing. For more than 25 years, we've continued work alongside Habitat for Humanity of Greensboro and Community Housing Solutions, building homes and water cisterns for communities in Mexico, working on infrastructure projects (home accessibility, building bathrooms, etc.) in the Dominican Republic, and improving homes in the mountains of Virginia through Appalachia Service Project. Yet the need continues - especially in our immediate communities.
Following a successful capital campaign, Westminster received additional gifts for significant mission-driven projects. Through discernment, we are using our strength to help families in transitional housing move into stable, affordable homes with supportive relationships.
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"Lifting Up Families" Emergency Assistance
The “Lifting Up Families” Emergency Assistance Initiative was created around our 2024 Lent Mission Challenge fundraiser campaign to match a $40,000 gift. Money raised through this campaign is designated to helping families in need of immediate, short-term, emergency financial assistance that will help them stay, or obtain, housing. We work with local school social workers, nonprofit organizations, and other educational institutions to determine families in need.
The Good Neighbor Project
The Good Neighbor Project is a model program which helps families with children move into safe, affordable housing by providing initial financial assistance and other support services in partnership with property management groups, nonprofits, school systems, and faith-based communities. We are currently working with one family and soon to be looking to assist a second family.
Partnership Place Apartment Project
Westminster is partnering with Partnership Homes, Inc. and faith communities within Greensboro to build 6 affordable housing units with Partnership Place Apartments. Renovated in 2021, Partnership Place Apartments is located at the corner of W. Terrell Street and Short Street in southeast Greensboro. Currently it has 31 two-bedroom, one-bathroom townhomes which are rented exclusively to low-income residents who previously experienced homelessness. They are permanent supportive housing which means that the residents may remain in the apartment as long as they honor their lease. The residents are offered optional case management through Greensboro Urban Ministry.
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Before Partnership Homes took over the property from a different non-profit, one of the abandoned buildings burned down. The empty parcel has been cleaned up and is now a vacant lot within the complex. There is room on the parcel for another six townhomes, one of which would need to be a single-story handicap accessible unit.
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Partnership Homes estimates that the cost of construction to be $200,000 per unit for a total approximate cost of $1,000,000 to $1,200,000. We are well on our way with $600,000 already being allocated to the project.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build house and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce...But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
JEREMIAH 29: 4-7
