Guiding churches to
cultivate home in a
homeless world.
We help churches develop permanent supportive tiny home villages, called Sacred Settlements, designed to address long-term homelessness. Each one is owned and operated by the worshipping community on their land with Settled by their side for the journey.
Intentional Neighbors.
Participating in what a home really is through a positive model... breaks generational brokenness.
S. Hebbard, How did we get here?
The history of modern-day homelessness
Intentional Neighbors.
We know it is loss of family that drives homelessness, so the solution comes through healthy relationships with trustworthy people: Intentional Neighbors.
These relationships are hard-earned and genuine, often causing things like addiction and mistrust to fade away over time.
Jamal and Kim are naturally curious and open-minded people. To them, being an Intentional Neighbor was just the right thing to do.
Rose has long been a defender of the vulnerable. When she found out about Sacred Settlements, she felt like she was home.
Permanent Homes.
Conditions are harsh, volatile and unhealthy, eventually resulting in clearance of the encampment by the local government.
Cohen, Yetvin, & Khadduri, 2019
Permanent Homes.
Life on the streets is unstable in every way, so the long-term solution can’t be “transitional.” It must include: Permanent Homes.
By surrounding a person with a carefully considered home, feelings of peace and safety come naturally.
Everyone is required to sign a lease, pay rent, abide by civil law and abide by the good neighbor agreement.
Neighbors can live in their homes for as long as they like. In fact, we hope they grow roots and become settled in the community indefinitely.
Cultivated Place.
The single greatest obstacle to building affordable housing is the
not in my backyard mentality.
Alan Graham, Welcome Homeless
Cultivated Places.
Many faith communities have underutilized areas of their land and buildings. Sacred Settlements fill these areas with meaning and utility: Cultivated Places.
The common home is at the heart of each Sacred Settlement, bringing people together for shared meals, games, classes and conversations.
Purposeful Work.
Instability leaves a homeless individual struggling to keep a commitment and struggling to stay focused.
Poremski, Whitley, & Latimer, 2014
Purposeful Work.
Getting and keeping a job while living on the streets is nearly impossible. But once a person has a place that feels like home, skill-matched work becomes possible. Everybody needs: Purposeful Work.
Everybody is compensated fairly for a job well done.
Purposeful Work is not required, but it is an effective way of helping to pay rent and build good habits.
Supportive Friends.
People and professionals are in and out of the lives of those stuck in homelessness. As a result, trust erodes with each lost connection while on the streets.
Gabrielle Clowdus. PhD Dissertation on Homelessness
Supportive Friends.
Surrounding a person with consistent love and support creates an opportunity where neighbors coming out of homelessness can find their ‘home.' It takes: Supportive Friends.
Supportive Friends are not paid, they are volunteers building genuine, trusting relationships. This is a very important distinction in the minds of the formerly homeless.
Many professional services require consistency and advocacy to be effective. Supportive friends help bridge transportation, communication, and trust gaps that can sometimes occur.
There are many barriers to essential services when living on the streets.
Supportive Friends become important advocates that bridge the gap between a person and the services and opportunities that would help them.
