Leading With Uncertainty
Written by Dylan Novacek, Content Specialist
“If our families in shelter are living out of their comfort zone, then surely I can step out of mine and make a few calls,” exclaimed Beth Albee from Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska. “We’re taking a chance on something we believe in, in order to see that all people have a home.”
Our Beacon leaders are stepping into the public arena to help see that Prairie Pointe, and its about 40 deeply affordable homes for low-income families in Scott and Carver County, can become a reality. The creation of these homes is at risk.
In 2020 Prairie Pointe was awarded project-based Section 8 vouchers, which are set to expire after one year. Together we’re working to influence the MET Council to expand this deadline to three years. To put it simply: Prairie Pointe needs its voucher expiration date expanded. With the shovels yet to hit the ground, this current expiration date creates a significant roadblock.
“It shouldn’t be this hard,” huffed Justin Lewandowski, Senior Congregational Organizer. “The expiration date on these vouchers affects every aspect of the process developers like Beacon have to jump through in order to build deeply affordable supportive housing. We’re not just working on the vouchers we need for Prairie Pointe, we are working to transform the way the MET Council awards project based vouchers to make building homes easier for everyone.”
“The MET Council is interesting because it’s so complicated,” Beth added. “The MET Council’s decision to put a time limit on these vouchers places the entire project at risk. It’s like removing a core piece from a Jenga tower. This kind of work is very new me to. Beacon is helping us grow in our advocacy.”
As we build relationships to find solutions in this complex system, we lead with uncertainty. Our leaders have been meeting with MET Council members on technical research visits. While it’s not easy to become an expert on the inner workings of how to create home, our leaders ground themselves in their own faith values. Simply put, they feel called to do this work.
“I’ve always been someone who felt really compelled to do work towards bettering the world,” Beth reflected. “I was introduced to Beacon through the Families Moving Forward program at my congregation. Seeing the guests with their children has stuck with me. This work is so grounded in my faith values.”
“My childhood led my interest into building homes,” added Bill Christian, another leader from Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake. “I got a taste of what it’s like to be without a home as I grew up. Homelessness is a terrible thing. Working with Beacon, I’ve seen how homes like Great River Landing change everything. The creation of new homes stops the revolving door of homelessness.”
It takes individuals like Bill and Beth to help influence the change needed to create Prairie Pointe. Without these all-important vouchers, our ability to support the families who will call Prairie Pointe home is at risk.
“I know the MET Council approved these vouchers once before. There is such a great need,” Bill asserted. “I beg the MET Council to open their hearts. I know they appreciate the need. Our elected officials need to live into their stated values. All that’s left for us is to get this expiration date changed.”
Going on technical research visits, Beth and Bill met with MET Council member Deb Barber, who was once on the housing committee. Feeling empowered by their ability to make change, the group felt Deb heard the need and they are excited to continue on these research visits.
“I am learning from Beacon that there is power in numbers,” Beth said. “Power in creating a movement really. I really admire Beacon because we’re being brought together on this common goal. Sure, not all of us have the answers to solve the problem. But, leaning into uncertainty makes us grow.”
Beth paused and considered the families living in hotel rooms and church basements. She considered how these families are living out of their comfort zone.
“I think the problem is that local leaders get wrapped up in the logistics of everything and forget the heart of what we’re called to do,” Bill reflected. “The emotions that people are going through when they are without a home. The unhappiness homelessness causes. I think the MET Council has to keep that in mind and embrace the deeper meaning of this work.”
Proud of this group of leaders, Justin and our team of Beacon organizers are happy to help our collaborative engage in this work. It’s not easy to step into a room where you don’t feel equipped to answer the big questions. But as a collaborative, we find the space to voice our belief for home.
“I hear a lot of leaders and advocates tell me they don’t feel like leaders,” Justin said. “To me, leadership means taking it one step at a time. It starts with making a phone call, sending an email, going on a research visit, and pushing ourselves just a little further in our faith and the work. It’s about embracing the discomfort of the unknown and becoming comfortable with the idea that we are powerful people.”
Beth took a moment to consider what it means to be an advocate. For her, a quote from Bryan Stevenson, the author of Just Mercy, stands out.
“Injustice prevails where hopelessness persists.”
“For me, advocacy means bringing a little hope to something,” Beth beamed. “I just needed to find that something…Beacon has brought me into the bigger picture. I know we need to solve this problem. We need to create Prairie Pointe so we can see that all people have a home.
There is so much work left to be done. Luckily, we have a strong collaborative. You can take part in changing these systems. Click here to learn how you can take-action. Check back soon as we share part two of this story.
Read how we can overcome the roadblocks to home here.
