Affordable housing is a serious issue around the world. In Australia 2 million people live below the poverty line. Many of them are homeless. TSA continues to offer support services to this population on a 24/7 basis in many different forms. Our array of services includes, but goes way beyond government funded resources, because their needs goes beyond the imagination and the limits of the funding parties.
We do this willingly. You see, people need a reasonable and safe place to live. After that, many have need of other support services to assure their permanence in their housing. Then, in the process, we have the joy of demonstrating the love of God and His provision for us all. We have great people in this service and we know the greatness of God.
Psalms 135:5 (MSG)
5 I too give witness to the greatness of God, our Lord, high above all other gods.
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6 comments:
Comm. Thank you for your leadership in todays meeting with the minister.
I am convinced that affordable housing, and the issues that cause homelessness, are areas that need our intervention. We need to find the appropriate model that will match our mission to the least, last and the lost, rather than simply adopt the one best suits the pollies. Once folk have appropriate shelter, shelter that they can call home, it will enable them to deal with the issues that hinder them from connencting with others, be they family or society.
May we be leaders not just in assisting the homeless, but also in influencing the development of public policy (both State and Federal) so that it meets the needs of those who politally have no voice, those we are called to speak on behalf of.
BCA
Shelter, a basic psychological need. When I lived in Lake Isabella, CA, there was no public housing available and there was a tiny Salvation Army outpost. Most of the homeless guys slept behind that outpost in a lot. Most of the homeless families slept in campgrounds for the winter. Then the kids would come to school and try to act like normal kids. But so many there were homeless, just living "around". You're right about imagination being limited. Services there were also about political parties deciding from far away the fate of the homeless family in rural California.
Mary
this is so close to my heart,it's not even slightly off the track...I have a dream about having loads of "Leading Tenant" style houses, where, as people present and we determine need, we relocate people into these houses one person at a time, one family at a time...they stay there as long as they need to and pay only what they can afford, everyone chips in and helps each other and over time, the leading tenant may even move out so that the house can then be rented by these families or even purchased off teh Salvos, at an affordable rate, as they start to get back on their feet and their self esteem increases. the houses are anonomous and not labelled and we are not precious about the ownership or labelling, just a bunch of christians doing the christian thing... seeing a need and meeting it. the other day a guy presented to us and we couldn't help him, for he wouldn't part with his dog, so he kept sleeping behind a church, right here in Craigieburn.
I agree with the comments above, we need to do something about this, especially in Aust, people should not be living on the streets, to me its one of the huge injustices that we are seeing here and we need to dance all over it.
I know I am taking a lot of space...but if we could just get past all the number crunchers in our movement that may stop such plans like this...how good would it be, to just be and to just do.
BCA - Your support was essential.
M - Your story unfolds.
Totally sold - This is a good passion.
As a former officer, let me say that helping people in the Lord's name does not need to wait until the number crunchers get out of the way. Do it in the strength and wisdom of God with all humility.
Good word, BCB. Thanks.
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