KANNAPOLIS ó The city of Kannapolis, Cooperative Christian Ministries and Habitat Cabarrus have completed work on a Teaching House in the Carver Neighborhood.
Teaching Houses are transitional housing to help families move from emergency shelters to more permanent housing. While in the program, families are provided financial counseling and other services from Cooperative Christian Ministries and Community Link to prepare them to live independently.
ěThere is an incredible demand for our teaching houses,î said Ed Hosack, executive director of Cooperative Christian Ministries, which runs the transitional housing program. ěThis partnership is a very innovative way to bring together the talents and resources of multiple organizations to help families in Cabarrus County find and keep stable housing.î
As a part of the partnership, Habitat Cabarrus makes the necessary repairs and renovations of the homes that are purchased by the city using U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME program funds. Habitatís volunteers and donated materials help reduce the cost of the renovations. This house is one of several that will be developed in the city.
ěThe revitalization of our communities requires many participants, and this public-private partnership is an example of how organizations can gather their resources to benefit not only one family but put us on course to make a broader, community-wide impact,î said Dean Johnson, executive director of Habitat Cabarrus.
ěEach year, the city of Kannapolis receives federal money that can be spent on affordable housing projects,î said Irene Sacks, director of business and community affairs for the Kannapolis. ěWe have allocated $170,000 to purchase and rehab about three homes. This partnership allows us to improve the housing stock in our neighborhoods while also addressing the need for transitional housing in this area.î
Families in the Teaching House program typically stay in the program between six months and two years.
The goal is to provide a supportive environment to help the selected families regain stability and prepare themselves to re-enter market-rate housing.