"To engage and lead faith communities in Northern Virginia to improve the social condition, dignity, and economic health of those in need among us, and to be an advocate for them."

Community Ministry of Northern Virginia

Congregation Provides "Financial Housing Assistance" to a Family or Individual through Community Ministry’s Joint Effort with Good Shepherd Housing

Affordable housing is a well-known problem in Northern Virginia. Government programs subsidize low-income rents (formerly known as Section 8), but funding is declining, there are long waiting lists, and too few participating landlords.

By teaming with Good Shepherd Housing and Family Assistance (see www.goodhousing.org), Community Ministry Northern Virginia can serve as a catalyst for the faith community in Northern Virginia to help. Good Shepherd screens applicants to find needy, working families who require some rent subsidy, but who have the potential to become self-sufficient through financial counseling.  Counseling is mandatory and the rent subsidies decline over time to lead participating families to the ultimate goal of self sufficiency.

Community Ministry’s Role is:

• To find churches or synagogues in Northern Virginia willing to commit to provide monthly or annual rent subsidies to the Good Shepherd Housing program
• To find "faithful landlords" --property owners from the faith community willing to let Good Shepherd manage the leasing of these properties to program participants. 
• Good Shepherd could provide a complete program of assistance to 20 more families today, if CM could find the churches or synagogues to commit to the monthly or annual rent subsidies (as little as $100-$200 per month).
• CM, together with Good Shepherd and faith communities, can provide affordable housing and eventually self-sufficiency to working poor families.

Congregations and individuals who wish to participate in and support the activities of Community Ministry should contact any member of the Board of Directors of Community Ministry by phone or email.