“I was a Stranger and You Took Me In” - DC’s Faith Community Mobilizes to Meet the Moment for Those Experiencing Homelessness

For faith communities across DC, the ancient call to take in the stranger has never felt more urgent.

Following federal actions this summer that deployed law enforcement and the National Guard to clear encampments, those experiencing homelessness in DC have faced an increasingly dangerous situation.

“With new threats everyday, the current situation is unlike anything we’ve experienced, nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges and we all need to step up in this moment” shared Jennifer Olney, Program Director for the Partnership to End Homelessness at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Between the encampment clearings and the increased threats of arrest and displacement, our unhoused community and those who serve them are under a lot of stress, right now.”

Local nonprofit partners have reported that many of the residents they serve are experiencing extreme levels of stress, anxiety, and dwindling public trust, as they are forced to make impossible decisions about where they might be safe. Increased demand and dwindling resources are making it more difficult for nonprofits to meet the urgent needs of people in crisis.

Partners in this work are needed now more than ever – and DC’s faith-based communities are stepping up to respond.

The Intersection Between Faith & Homeless Communities

DC’s faith communities have been an integral part of our city’s efforts to support our most vulnerable neighbors, including people experiencing homelessness. Many of our most effective nonprofit organizations started as small faith-based initiatives and faith communities across the city continue to support the work every day.

Given the unprecedented threats to our community, faith-based leaders and nonprofit providers are eager to partner in new and innovative ways to meet the moment.

The Community Foundation’s Partnership to End Homelessness has recently brought on Rev. Linda Kaufman, an ordained minister at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church in NW DC, to coordinate this effort.

Helping those experiencing homelessness has been a key part of Rev. Kaufman’s ministry since 1985, when she volunteered for her first overnight shift at a homeless shelter in DC.

“The weather was bitterly cold that week, so Carmelite sisters had offered their convent as a shelter for those who needed it,” Rev. Kaufman recalled. “Ministering to those women that night – and in the nights since then – has really changed me.”

Since that night, Rev. Kaufman has spent more than three decades working to end homelessness in DC. As part of her ministry, she has served as Chief Operating Officer for Pathways to Housing DC, led homeless services for the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), and served as an advocate and organizer for the National 100,000 Homes Campaign.

Rev. Linda Kaufman (Back Row, 2nd from the Right) with the Regional Deans - Episcopal Diocese of Washington

Mobilizing the Faith Community to Meet the Moment

“In this moment, I believe the calling of faith communities can be an actual tipping point for our city,” Rev. Kaufman explained. “As we engage and work with our unhoused neighbors, we can magnify our ministry and make sure everyone has what they need: a home, enough to eat, community, and purpose. In this time of reduced housing and services dollars, we must explore every possible avenue of helping more people find homes. Now, and quickly, we have a chance to do something to support individuals and families who have no homes, and the service providers scrambling to do more with fewer resources.”

In exploring this issue with unhoused individuals, faith community leaders, and service providers, as well as national experts, we have settled on three areas:

• Increasing and deepening the work of volunteers from faith communities,

• Supporting faith communities to look with a keen new eye at their grounds and buildings for possible use,

• Building 500 units of extremely affordable housing on the grounds of faith communities, and in the yards of faith community members.

The Partnership recognized that faith-based communities were already working in this space and advocating alongside our nonprofit partners. Rev. Kaufman is focused on making connections where possible and looking for new opportunities. She pointed out that much of the initiative encompasses things that many faith communities may already be doing like serving as emergency and seasonal shelters or cooling and heating centers, providing meals, organizing supply drives, assembling hygiene and toiletry supply kits, or providing emergency financial assistance to help those at risk of experiencing homelessness.

No matter how small the action is, Rev. Kaufman says that when combined with the ongoing efforts of nonprofit and local leaders, these simple acts of volunteerism and service can serve as a much-needed catalyst for change.

“Every one of these actions is and will be needed today and in the coming months,” Rev. Kaufman shared. “Now is the time to step up and be intentional and creative at finding ways to support our neighbors.”

Rev. Kaufman’s work may include partnering with nonprofit organizations to provide community connections and support to those experiencing homelessness, exploring what it takes to open an emergency shelter, or considering ways to leverage their assets -- such as land-- to create housing for people experiencing homelessness by placing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) on church or individual property, or even larger permanent supporting housing developments.

Faith leaders are also critical in our work to advocate and promote compassionate dialogue around homelessness. A key piece of this work will be connecting with the incredible partners who are already leading in this space.

"If each community could sponsor one accessory dwelling unit, we could provide affordable housing for every person currently living on the streets in Washington, DC," Rev. Kaufman points out. "If just 10% of the District's 775 places of worship could open their doors for day or overnight shelter, we would greatly increase safe spaces available throughout the city."

Where Hope Lives

When asked what gives her hope as she begins this work, Rev. Kaufman's answer is rooted in what she's witnessed over decades of ministry: "The resilience and creativity of our neighbors who are unhoused, the support of our local government in providing services and housing, and the generosity of faith communities all over DC."

She continues: "I have seen the most unlikely individuals succeed in housing. I have watched outreach workers go so far above and beyond their job descriptions that it takes my breath away. I have seen doors open to welcome unhoused neighbors into a safe warm place. I don't just believe in hope; I have seen it."

“In the coming months, I look forward to seeing hope spring up all over the city as we see the good works of faith communities.”

If you belong to a faith community, please complete this survey to help us build the role of faith communities in ending homelessness. Also consider forwarding the survey to friends and colleagues who are in faith communities.

The faith community coordination initiative is made possible through investment from The Community Foundation’s Partnership to End Homelessness. You can support this work by making a donation today.

For more information about how you or your congregation can support or get involved, please contact [email protected].