By Sr. Karen Bland, OSB
Mother Teresa Place to house 40 families in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Article originally published in Sacro Speco Winter/Spring 2024
No community seems unaffected by the number of citizens finding themselves forced out of housing for a variety of reasons – the most pressing being housing rentals that far exceed what many persons earning minimum wage or on social security will ever be able to afford. Those in situational homelessness – short period of time homeless because of an eviction or other family malady – often find remedies for their situation, either through programs that help them with short-term assistance similar to those offered by Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, or help through a family member. In the past ten years, Catholic Outreach’s rental assistance has increased 400%, as housing prices and rentals continue to rise. Recent years have witnessed more than 700 households and 1,767 individuals being rescued from homeless situations and chronic homelessness as a result of this yearly rental assistance program. Far more problematic and far-reaching is chronic homelessness, a situation characterized by being homeless for more than a year or for shorter periods of time over several years. That is why we see tents spring up in parks, under overpasses, and even on city sidewalks in many cities.
What happens to individuals who find themselves chronically homeless? “We cannot end homelessness without homes” is our mantra. In our community of Mesa County, Colorado the availability of affordable rental units has drastically decreased. Almost Home – a weekly presentation of available rentals with information supplied by the property owners – formerly covered 30 pages. Today, that listing rarely exceeds six pages, and there are seldom more than two rentals listed that are affordable to a person with little income.
More than twenty years ago, Catholic Outreach began addressing the housing situation for persons with low income by supporting transitional housing opportunities. This allowed families a maximum of two years in order to gain financial stability and self-direction in housing. Since that time, the funding source morphed into permanent supportive housing, primarily for persons who are chronically homeless. Beginning in 2008 Catholic Outreach raised funds from the local populace that enabled the building of 63 housing units (St. Benedict Place-23 and St. Martin Place-40) for persons who were chronically homeless.
Just before the pandemic arrived, the need for housing was becoming acute. Catholic Outreach sponsored a survey asking about the need for housing and other services. From 199 responses from those struggling with survival, 129 indicated that they were in need of affordable housing. With this data the Catholic Outreach Board assented to developing future housing. A committee composed of those experiencing homelessness indicated what was most desirous for them in future housing. The primary issue from this population was security, so that is primary to the design for Mother Teresa Place.
Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love. ~ Mother Teresa
In December, 20, 2023 construction began on Mother Teresa Place, a 40-unit multifamily housing project that will provide permanent, independent housing for the most vulnerable persons among those who are homeless. More than half the cost of this endeavor comes from individuals in the community who find this a meaningful and doable way of helping those who are desperately in need of safe and decent housing. The other half is the result of requests for monetary assistance presented to the City of Grand Junction and local foundations, housing grants from the State of Colorado, and funding from the federal government that has been passed down through local governments. As with previous housing programs, there will be no mortgages needed to cover construction costs once Mother Teresa is built. That is due to the generosity of the local community.
Catholic Outreach’s housing is predicated on the needs of those being served. Since persons who are chronically homeless have nothing but what they can carry in a knapsack, each unit is a one-bed apartment completely furnished with furniture, appliances, and items that each household requires. Both physical and mental health providers who currently care for persons who are homeless at the Catholic Outreach Day Center will cover the medical needs of those who become Mother Teresa residents.
Residents in each of Catholic Outreach’s permanent housing complexes pay no more than 30% of their income in rent. Vouchers received from the state or the local Housing Authority enable Catholic Outreach to cover residents’ utilities and maintain the upkeep of the units and complexes. Successful housing experiences are predicated on the need to promote each resident's dignity. This occurs by not putting an excessive burden on any resident and holding expectations that foster their own sense of purpose, competency, and well-being.
By the end of 2024, Catholic Outreach will operate more than 100 units, bringing homes to those who for far too long have been without. This is through the vision and the faith of a dedicated Board of Directors, a community willing to address a problem in a manner that is doable for them, whether through direct service or through sharing of their resources, a core of staff and volunteers who, daily through services offered, bring a bit of relief to those who are without. Yet, none of this is possible without the belief and remembrance that it is the Almighty One who provides the energy and direction for Mother Teresa Place to become a reality. We often remember that the project belongs to our God; we are just the helpers bearing in mind, “Open hands and open hearts open doors.”
Sr. Karen Bland is Executive Director of
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, which was founded in 1988 by the four local parishes in Grand Junction, Palisade, and Fruita, who believe that by combining their resources they could more effectively bring services to the local community. Since that time more than 50 other denominations have joined this effort through monthly donations, sponsorships, and more than 500 volunteers who share in the ecumenical work of Grand Valley Catholic Outreach.
“Anyone can serve and anyone can be served.”
Comments