Works in Progress

Recently in life, there’s been two times when I was needing to find an affordable place to live in the Brazos Valley. The first time was when I was living in Turkey and deciding to come back to the United States. I didn’t have a job waiting for me and not enough in savings to cover rent for a year (which is what would have been required of me). The second time was when I was needing to leave an unhealthy marriage. Trying to have money to pay for a second apartment’s down payment and first month’s rent on top of paying for my then current rent and bills seemed like an impossible task. Neither time did I fit into the categories for emergency housing.

Luckily, God provided in each situation, but it was an eye opener. I never realized how expensive housing was in the Brazos Valley and the vast shortage of affordable apartments and homes there were. Maybe I’ve watched too many war movies, but the phrase “no woman left behind” started ruminating in my mind. I knew I wasn’t the only woman who has struggled with the problem of either getting an apartment that I could somewhat afford, but it being in not a very safe feeling area or paying more than I really could afford for a “better” apartment but not having money for very much more. And even in more expensive apartments, I had men coming on to me and drug dealers hanging out on the walking path. I just needed a safe place to adjust, heal and ask God what He wanted for my life. However, my over stimulated nervous system did not find the peace it needed either time.

That’s why I started Works in Progress: Affordable Christian Housing for Women. I want to create a community where women can afford to live and feel safe coming home at night. A place where tenants know their neighbors and can support each other in becoming the people that God created them to be.

I’m just at the beginning stages, but my desire is to have both a temporary housing program that is for women who just need a temporary place to go due to an emergency (leaving an unsafe environment) or being new to the area, or some other unforeseen event. It would provide housing from one to six months: enough time to find a job, save money and mentally prepare for the next stage in life. The second part of my housing program would have both tiny homes, for women who don’t need very much space, and duplexes or triplexes for single moms. Both the short-term housing and permanent housing would be sliding scale, based on each tenant’s income.

One of the things that I discovered when I started researching creating Works in Progress is how expensive everything is. Even if I can find affordable land, I have to build the infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage) and then cover the cost of building supplies, contractors, etc. I understand (to some degree) why most housing is expensive, because everything that goes into creating new housing whether apartments or houses is expensive. That cost gets passed on to the tenants (or home buyers).

Your donation helps in keeping the cost down for the women that I’m trying to help. It will help make the next step of finding and purchasing the right property a reality.