HOUSE AND HEARTS ARE OPEN ---AND AFFORDABLE

Open House for 2nd SJA Housing Project Sunday, November 17th, 2002

I can see why this second completed project of St. Joan of Arc’s Affordable Housing Ministry had a postponement and a delay. The completed project is exquisite. It is a totally attractive living space created in a private home out of marginal and underutilized basement square footage.

The design and execution is the product of creative design work by Jeff Grosscup and Paul Halvorson and blood, sweat and smiles by a myriad St. Joan of Arc volunteers, many of whom were here at the Open House on Sunday, November 17th.

It is a “Third Way” of addressing the need for affordable housing. It is not a government project, nor is it a purely commercial venture. This particular project employed creativity, using funds from the homeowner along with collaboration in its remodel so as to provide a living space for $450 per month-highly affordable!

From the ground up there is a feeling of warmth, clean looks and quality. The flooring is in warm earth-toned ceramic tile of light adobe hue that reflects light well. The kitchen has a long bank of oak cupboards and ample counter space. The sleeping area with egress window is light and open, with several nice arched alcoves with shelving. The bathroom is state-of-the-art, ample, light, and modern.

L to R: SJA Housing member Paul Lipetzky, homeowner/housing provider Susan Shirber and Dr. Paul Halvorson, Third Way founder

The project shows what can be done with creative collaboration and caring in addressing a huge need in the Twin Cities. Dr. Paul Halvorson, on hand to help host the Open House, provided a ten-week training process for St. Joan of Arc’s start-up group, which put its finding to the whole congregation for a vote as to which three of its ten best ideas should be pursued. I was part of that process. We came up with things that would address the need immediately, not just by throwing money at the housing need, but by creating a possible model or models that are repeatable in process. And we are following through with projects to demonstrate what can be done.

If you are interested in volunteering on projects three and four, you can sign up via the Third Way™ Network website: www.ThirdWayNetwork.org or by calling 612-332-1311 or the Parish Center. Thank you volunteers for the difference that is being made.

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Pat Stevens has been at St Joan of Arc for 30+ years, was first Executive Director of Trust in 1970, taught Humanities and foreign languages for 12 years, has been a real estate broker for 25 years with his wife Irene Taddiken. They have 11 grandkids. Pat studied philosophy and theology at St. Paul Seminary, Greek Drama and Classical Languages at Yale. He is a Prayer Partner at SJA and is on the Affordable Housing Committee.

The Third Way Housing Network has a website that provides further information on their work. We encourage you to visit it at www.ThirdWayNetwork.org.