#009 – In a recent Waterloo Regional Record article titled, “Affordable Housing Gives Vulnerable People an Opportunity to Thrive”, author Leah Conner shares about her lived experience and the trauma of finding herself homeless as a young mom with 2 children. Eventually, she did became recipient of affordable housing — a small townhouse in Waterloo. But she emphatically states that without it, “I wouldn’t be here writing this now. I would not have earned a master’s degree. My children would not be the brilliant well-nourished people they are today.” Reflecting on her experience, Leah declares this truth: “Affordable housing ventures are long-term investments that provide invaluable returns.”
One organization that knows all about providing affordable housing for the most vulnerable of populations is the Christian housing corporation, Indwell. Their mission is to create affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging. For them, providing housing is all about helping people to overcome adversities, find their full potential in life, and assist in the journey towards total well-being!
On this podcast we are joined by Indwells’ CEO, Jeff Neven. For the past 20 years Jeff and his team have grown from supporting just 7 tenants to providing homes and supports for 700+ people with nearly 800 units under construction. Jeff is an established community leader, actively involved in youth neighbourhood engagement, homelessness prevention, and his local church. He holds a MSW in Community, Policy, Planning and Organizations from Wilfred Laurier University, and received the “40 Under 40” Next Generation of Hamilton Leaders award in 2017.
Topics discussed in this episode:
In this conversation, Jeff Neven paints a picture of what it takes to live out Christian values as a housing provider. He does so by explaining Indwell’s response to: what’s driving the housing crisis in Canada; facilitating partnerships with faith communities; their spectrum of wrap-around services; where dignity and building beautiful buildings meet; the importance of good relationships with tenants; and the adaptive reuse of buildings (not only their preservation but also their redemptive value in brick and mortar and in tenant’s lives). Throughout, Jeff explains that underpinning all that Indwell does, is a commitment to living out the values of dignity, love and hope.
During the podcast Jeff explains:
- His faith, vocational and family roots, and his business calling
- What’s driving the housing crisis?
- Facilitating partnerships with churches, charities and others
- Myths to be dispelled and whole person solutions
- Dignity and the purpose for beautiful buildings
- Current Indwell projects
- Indwell’s wrap-around services and support teams
- What it means in practise to be a faith-based organization that is a housing provider
- The call to be involved: being Jesus to your neighbour
[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]
Links mentioned in this podcast:
- Dr. Jill Suzanne Shook. “What Does the Bible Say About Land and Housing? Good News for Today’s Housing Crisis”. Making Housing and Community Happen. https://makinghousinghappen.net
- Indwell – a Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging.
- FREE Indwell book – Making Housing Affordable: A Guide for Facilitating Partnerships with Churches and Charities to Develop Affordable Housing
- Indwell is a leader in Passive House development – is a standard for energy efficiency that reduces a building’s ecological footprint. Indwell is also heavily involved in adaptive reuse of buildings such as Hamilton’s former Royal Oak Dairy.
- The Scott Mission – a Christian, non-denominational, faith-based street mission in downtown Toronto, serving the poor and needy of the city. Their various ministries offer support and provisions for the homeless, low-income families, and children and youth.
- Dr. John Perkins – a Christian minister, civil rights activist, Bible teacher, author, and founding member and Board Chair Emeritus of the Christian Community Development Association. He is also the founder and President Emeritus of the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation with his wife, Vera Mae Perkins.
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