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Partnership brings new affordable housing to Silver Spring

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church and the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition (SSIHC) dedicated a newly renovated home for use by a formerly homeless family at a celebration that took place at the church on Sunday, August 24.

Previously unoccupied, this three-bedroom bungalow was slated for demolition to create additional parking for the church. Good Shepherd's membership elected instead to save the house and make substantial renovations in order to provide a home for a family facing homelessness.

"For so many in this congregation, the GSUMC Cottage Project has become a 'test of faith' in the best sense of the word–a way to make tangible and real the faith which is so often mainly in our heads and hearts," said Reverend Dave Stum. "Once again, the givers and the doers become the greatest recipients."

Numerous con-gregation members and other individ-uals contributed funds, materials, and hundreds of hours of volunteer labor to complete the work. Good Shepherd provided start-up money, and SSIHC helped raise funds and materials through private and public sources to finance much of the renovation effort. Corporate and government funders for the project include the Philip Graham Fund, the Fowler Memorial Foundation, the Gannett Foundation, the Home Builders Care Foundation, and the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

SSIHC will provide program support for this transitional housing initiative, while Good Shepherd members will form a mentoring team to help the family reach their goals.

"This is a wonderful example of a dynamic partnership built on each group's strengths," according to Sara Cartmill, SSIHC Executive Director. "We're hopeful that this project will inspire similar partnerships with other congregations and groups. It's a win-win arrangement and offers a new way to tackle the affordable housing crisis facing our region."