RAAH seeks to achieve a significant increase in the supply of permanently affordable housing in Washtenaw County, in collaboration with religious congregations and non-profit housing groups. RAAH directs financial contributions to efforts that increase housing opportunities for low income households. RAAH also provides educational presentations to congregations, and RAAH volunteer members advocate before governmental bodies. RAAH seeks to leverage funds for affordable housing through local non-profit housing organizations. RAAH has assisted Avalon Housing, SOS Community Services, The Homeplace Community Land Trust, and the the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI). For a description of our current campaign see RAAH Projects on our website. What’s the point of another layer on top of great organizations like SOS, MAP, Avalon Housing and HBS? RAAH was established at a point when the cost of housing in Ann Arbor had risen beyond the reach of many who worked in town. Concerned religious leaders believed they and their congregations should have something to say about it. Many of us now, as housing costs are even higher, believe:
• One: that our traditions and our consciences call us to speak for the needs of the poor and disabled.
• Two: that when a significant portion of our religious communities endorse a project to benefit people in need, the wider Washtenaw County community will value the project. We have also seen that national and state funding agencies will look more favorably on a project proposed by a local agency when it is clear that the project has local support in a significant monetary amount. Occasionally our support has helped secure matching funds for local social service agencies. MORE ABOUT US
Congregations Supporting RAAH in the past 5 years:
Ann Arbor Friends Meeting
Bethlehem United Church of Christ
Beth Israel Congregation
Church of the Good Shepherd UCC
First Baptist Church
First Congregational Church
First Presbyterian Church (Ann Arbor)
First Presbyterian Church (Saline)
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation
First United Methodist Church (Ann Arbor)
First United Methodist Church (Ypsilanti)
King of Kings Lutheran Church
Knox Presbyterian Church
Northside Presbyterian Church
St. Aidan's Episcopal Church
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
St. Clare's Episcopal Church
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
St. Thomas Catholic Church
Shalom Community Church
Temple Beth Emeth
Trinity Lutheran Church
The Vineyard Church
Webster United Church of Christ
Zion Lutheran Church
Organizations Supporting RAAH
Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor
Kolossos Printing, Inc.
