RELIGIOUS ACTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING (RAAH)
About RAAHRAAH seeks to achieve a significant increase in the supply of permanently affordable housing in Washtenaw County, in collaboration with religious congregations and non-profit housing groups. RAAH directs financial contributions to efforts that increase housing opportunities for low income households. RAAH provides educational presentations to congregations and advocates before governmental bodies. RAAH seeks to leverage funds for affordable housing through local non-profit housing organizations. RAAH has assisted the Homeplace Community Land Trust, and now supports the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI).
NEWS November 2008This is the second year of our capital campaign to help finance the MPRI/JEHT Pilot Project which is supplying supportive, affordable housing to 20 parolees with mental illness and/or physical disabilities for a two year period immediately following their release from prison. The mission of MPRI (Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative) is to reduce crime by implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed with each offender—delivered through state and local collaboration—from the time of their entry to prison through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community. RAAH, along with the Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA), the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF), Barrier Busters of Washtenaw County, and EMU (for evaluation services) is raising $289,000 for this project. The JEHT Foundation is matching this amount, dollar for dollar. RAAH has committed to raising $50,000 of this amount and has so far raised almost $29,000.
What will the $578,000 achieve? It will provide rent subsidies, security deposits, utilities, housing management, furniture/housewares, and supportive services for these 20 parolees who are most at risk for recidivism. Services will be provided on-site and will typically include bill-paying, assistance with receiving entitlement benefits if appropriate (federal SSI or Disability), medical and mental health care coordination, eviction prevention, and other case management. The recipients will also receive MPRI assistance with transportation, obtaining ID’s, help with transitional employment, cognitive restructuring, and family support. It costs an average of $30,000 per year to keep someone in prison. If the incarcerated person is mentally ill, the cost can be as high as $45,000 per year. This project, for 20 people for 2 years, will cost $14,450 per person/per year.
When the overall MPRI first began (now in its third year), the recidivism rate in Washtenaw County was 76% and the state-wide rate was almost 50%. Homelessness was a major reason why the rate was higher in this county. Of the 9 people already released to the MPRI/JEHT Pilot Project, only one has returned, for parole violation. This person was very cognitively impaired.
RAAH is excited to be involved in this MPRI/JEHT pilot project and encourages congregations and individuals to join us through
1) congregational memberships in RAAH (sent to 306 N. Division, Ann Arbor 48104),
2) individual and congregational gifts specifically for the pilot project (checks made out to AAACF and
noted RAAH, sent to AAACF, 301 North Main, Suite 300, Ann Arbor 48104), and3) individual memberships in RAAH ($10.00/year) (sent to 306 N. Division).
Contact if you would like more information or would like to schedule a presentation.
A Property Improvement Program from MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority)
Jess Sobel of MSHDA sent the following information about a Property Improvement Program. "Now is a good time for homeowners to look into energy efficiency home improvements. MSHDA’s Property Improvement Program offers low interest home improvement loans to single-family homeowners with low-to-moderate income (up to $65,000, or $74,750 in certain areas). Eligible home improvements: insulation, window replacement, furnace replacement, roof repair or replacement, new siding, installing a ramp, remodeling a kitchen, and other similar improvements. Homeowners can borrow up to $25,000 without equity, and up to $50,000 with equity. Because we can amortize the loan up to 20 years, the monthly payments are very affordable for those on a fixed income. The interest rate for homeowners is 4%, 6%, or 8%, depending upon income. These loans are provided through MSHDA-approved participating lenders and community agents. For a list of lenders and agents, as well as more program details, visit the website at www.michigan.gov/mshda and click on the Home Improvement link.
"If you would like some program brochures to distribute to your membership, customers, clients, neighbors, etc., please email me and let me know how many you want and the mailing address to which they should be sent." Jess Sobel:
HUD Funds for our County
HUD has allocated $3,024,719 out of a total national allocation of $3,920,000,000 under Title III of Division B of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) by Congress for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). These funds are a special Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation intended to help stabilize neighborhoods that are the hardest hit by mortgage and tax foreclosures.
The County's application to HUD for Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds explains how the money will be used in the Urban County of Washtenaw, primarily in Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township and Superior Township. For a copy of the plan, go to http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/communitydevelopment.
YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER
Annual dues for Individuals are $10.00. To become a member, please send a check or money order payable to:RAAHCongregations may join with dues proportional to their size.
c/o St. Andrews Church
306 N. Division
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
SIZE OF CONGREGATION ANNUAL DUES 1-249 Members $100 250-499 Members $150 500-999 Members $250 over 1,000 Members $350
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT R.A.A.H?
- RAAH seeks to serve families and persons who are most vulnerable, who have the greatest need.
- RAAH works to support affordable housing projects that create a substantial number of affordable units.
- RAAH promotes housing that remains affordable in perpetuity through the stewardship of the Homeplace Community Land Trust.
- RAAH seeks to encourage the creation of supportive community in affordable housing developments.
- RAAH is committed to ecologically sound and efficient use of land.
- RAAH understands that families of limited income need both rental and home ownership opportunity.
- RAAH has completed a $200,000 capital campaign for Avalon Housing for their Carrot Way housing project. www.Avalonhousing.org
- RAAH has completed a capital campaign for Homeplace Community Landtrust.
| MONTHLY MEETINGS – YOU ARE INVITED!
You are invited to attend the monthly RAAH meetings held
the second Fridays, from 8:30 to 10:30am. at
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- RAAH invites you to make a gift investment to the Capital Fund Compaign.
RAAH is a 501(c)3 Non-profit, tax exempt organization. Gifts to the RAAH Capital Fund Campaign are received, acknowledged, receipted and managed by: THE ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (AAACF), 301 N. Main st, Suite #300, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Make checks payable to AAACF. Mark checks for RAAH
To arrange gifts of stock or mutual funds contact Cheryl Elliott at
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation by calling 734-663-0401
RAAH invites you to make a gift investment in the Capital Fund Campaign. RAAH is a 501(c)3 Non-profit, tax exempt organization. Gifts to the RAAH Capital Fund Campaign are received, acknowledged, and managed by:
THE ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (AAACF)
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