Florida’s population is projected to grow during the next five years at a rate almost three times faster than the nation as a whole. That trend will substantially increase the already critical demand in our state for affordable workforce housing – at a time when homelessness has reached record levels in our local community, and in our nation.
The Diocese of St. Augustine and its Catholic Charities organization are fulfilling their religious mandate and apostolic mission to address the affordable housing crisis impacting large numbers of vulnerable citizens in the 17-county area they serve. These faith-based organizations are sponsoring Building Hope to facilitate the development of affordable housing projects and provide services to those who will live in these homes, thus helping to address the critical need in our communities. We need your support to make this mission of love and hope a reality.
Florida faces a shortage of affordable rental homes available to households whose incomes are at or below the federal poverty guidelines.4 Many of these households are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing.
Extremely low income renters in the United States
Shortage of affordable rental homes in the U.S.
Average income of extremely low income renters
Extremely low income renters with severe cost burdens
In response to the housing crisis, The Diocese of St. Augustine and Catholic Charities are sponsoring Building Hope, launching an exciting new outreach ministry designed to help ensure safe, dignified, financially accessible homes in our area.
The Catholic Charities network, collectively, is the largest, most experienced, and successful nonprofit agency in America, working to help meet the rising demand for affordable housing. The organization views this work as part of its core mission and apostolic ministry to help uphold the dignity of all people, especially the most vulnerable in our communities.
The outreach offers a unique opportunity for those interested in donating to help neighbors in need by recognizing the tremendous potential to leverage federal low-income housing tax credits, as well as other state and local sources of funds, available to qualified organizations.