Decent Housing Changes Lives

Many in Greater Newburyport have volunteered their time and contributed their money to the YWCA to build new affordable rental residences in Salisbury and to Habitat for Humanity to construct affordable owner-occupied homes in Salisbury. These projects have taken tremendous time and effort to identify, plan, fund and develop and, then, to select and relocate individuals and families.

Is their evidence that these approaches to remedy housing insecurity help families achieve stability over the long term? What impact does housing have on the lives of new residents? What’s the impact on neighborhoods and communities? Explore these and related issues in a roundtable discussion format on Wednesday, October 16, at 7 pm at Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb Street, Newburyport.

The discussion features panelists who know first-hand the enormous impact that decent housing can have – an impact that goes far beyond shelter to include health, education, jobs and community engagement.  
Speakers:

• Vicki Carr, YWCA Newburyport
• Jacques Du Preez, Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity
• John Feehan, Executive Director, YWCA Newburyport
• Reverend Joan MacPherson, Main Street Congregational United Church of Christ, and member, Habitat Family Selection Committee