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Hi Michael,

 

I think our breakfast meeting tomorrow morning is very timely in view of your discussion at the CM meeting this past Friday. I am deeply inspired by just how much background you have in public ministry/community organizing. One thing I love about you and Donna is that I sense the congregation has deep trust in your pastoral leadership.

I'd like to focus our discussion of co-housing, community and related topics based on your experience to develop strategy both long and short term as well as develop an inside/outside game. One of the advantages to the specific “co-housing” model we discussed at our last breakfast is that there are actual projects that have successfully done lobbying with elected and appointed officials, won necessary approvals with project completion and occupany by real people! The Co-Housing Company and Wonderland Hill Development Company are two firms I showed you at our last meeting. While the  “back-to-the-land” form of “intentional community” was largely a flop, there are some examples of successes. Among these is Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Rutledge, MO. If you go to their homepage you will find a link to a TED talk by Ma’ikwe Ludwig, the Executive Director of Dancing Rabbit.

 

What is the moral/spiritual/pastoral imperative for a “co-housing” campaign?

            When I had my personal housing crisis in 2013, Donna told me that housing is the number one concern for Judson congregants and allies. She recently mentioned that Judson does not yet have a delivery mechanism for housing. Thus, I posit that a case can be made for such an initiative based upon the moral imperative that humans living in a complex society such as the United States, circa 2014 need a place to stay. It is in fact very difficult if not illegal for people to live on the streets or out in nature. I would think the fact that housing is such a central issue in the lives of individuals and families in our congregation would create the necessary pastoral imperative. Christine Binder’s compelling story of a young couple wanting to start a family but finding the realities of housing costs a major roadblock may well be the “poster child” we need to jumpstart and sustain our efforts.

 

How does a “co-housing” campaign fit into Judson's public ministry?

            Very simply – housing is a human right

 

Perfect storm of possibilities

            I believe that the high cost of housing even for people of privilege leads to a perfect storm of possibilities. “On one side (of the highway) …. were ‘Exclusive Homes’ $229,000 to $329,000 and on the other side were ‘Exclusive Homes’ $299,00 to $399,000” (Loewen, 2005). The authors of Suburban Nation decry this trend: “for the first time we are now experiencing ruthless segregation by minute gradations of income” (Duany, Plater-Zyberk, & Speck, 2000). Additionally “realtors and developers tout class-based segregation as prudent investment strategy. Loewen cites Ellen Martin, a syndicated columnist advising homebuyers not to ignore the advantages of a “prestigious address and a fancy Zip Code” (Loewen, 2005). This could be the perfect storm we are seeking. I believe that current housing modalities contribute to global warming and that as a society Americans need to look beyond the notion of a castle for every household. Certainly housing fits into the “new/solidarity economy narrative.”

 

Conclusion

Selling our leadership services to foundations and corporations to fund the work is critical as such a project will need funding in the range of $1Million. Do you think this is possible? I totally agree that our housing efforts need to be realistic, intentional and passionate and look forward to following your lead in a collaborative effort.

 

 

Resources

Duany, A., Plater-Zyberk, & Speck, J. (2000). Suburban nation: The rise of sprawl and the decline of the American dream. New York, NY: North Point Press.

Loewen, J. W. (2005). Sundown Towns: A hidden dimension of American racism. New York, NY: Touchstone: Simon & Schuster.

 

Why is housing a moral, pastoral imperative?

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