Partners in Prosperity
With the past couple of blog posts I have highlighted how funds received from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are being used to respond to the impacts of COVID in a way that transforms our community and enables our residents and businesses to be more resilient to similar shocks in the future. The first two posts focused on initiatives addressing access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food, and workforce development for the unemployed and underemployed in our community. This post focuses on a partnership addressing affordable and safe housing.
Housing and More
Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley has been awarded $2.6 million for the acquisition of property and construction of eighteen affordable homes to be located in the City’s target areas of Melrose-Orange, West End or Belmont-Fallon. Habitat is collaborating with Family Promise of Greater Roanoke, Blue Ridge Independent Living Center and Build Smart Institute, to use this opportunity in an innovative and truly transformational manner.
Four of the eighteen homes will be owned and maintained by Family Promise and Blue Ridge Independent Living Center who will use them to provide much needed temporary housing for those in need of supportive services while seeking a pathway to independent living and self-sufficiency. Build Smart Institute will collaborate by using the opportunity to create a series of apprenticeships where interested candidates will have access to scholarships to earn certifications while working alongside Habitat volunteers and future home owners in constructing some of the new homes.
Transformational
Through these efforts the lives of dozens of families and individuals will be changed for the better, securing affordable and safe housing, support toward self-sufficiency and job training and certifications in a high-demand industry. Truly, this partnership offers a pathway to prosperity, genuine transformation and helps build resiliency for families and individuals against future shocks such as those experienced with COVID.
That is Star City Strong!
- Bob Cowell