The alliance will provide Black renters, particularly Black native Washingtonians, permanent housing during gentrification.
This post was originally published on The Washington Informer
Black churches launch Black Equity Through Homeownership association to galvanize Black native Washingtonians seeking homeownership. One church member left the church her home in a will, allowing a father and son to become homeowners in the same neighborhood.
By Aja Beckham
D.C. churches launch Black Equity Through Homeownership alliance to provide Black renters, particularly Black native Washingtonians, permanent housing during gentrification.
“The story of the United States of America is a story of land. Natives had it, but by violence, by lie, by law, through policy, a people killed and took what they wanted,” says Reverend William Lamar of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church is a member church of Washington Interfaith Network, a community of hundreds of D.C. area multi-faith congregations that addresses concerns through organizing and contacting elected officials. Now, Washington Interfaith Network is focusing more intentionally on Black homeownership by establishing the Black Equity Through Homeownership, an alliance of 50 churches seeking to build homes for Black residents, create a fund for inherited homes that need repair, facilitate homeownership workshops, and advocate for affordable housing, including rental properties.