Fred: an interview

March 20, 2011, is "Fred: an interview" 
(written by Kelly Gauthier with Mary Wakefield & P&J Committee).
Fred’s Story 
A St. Francis parishioner shares this story:
For over 27 years, St. Andrew‘s Episcopal Church here in Ann Arbor has invited anyone who walks through their doors to share breakfast in the company of others, along with fellowship and conversation.  This is where I met Fred.
Fred (who is in his 50’s) has had the experience of being homeless, “couch surfing”, and sleeping on the streets.  He was enjoying breakfast on the day I volunteered with the “Point in Time Count” of those who are homeless in Washtenaw County (a similar count is done in our public schools to determine how many homeless students are enrolled).  I was one of several people gathering information for the Count.  Guidance from the Washtenaw Housing Alliance enabled us to engage in conversation without being intrusive, so we had the opportunity to hear many people’s stories. 
Fred is a success story.  For the past nine years, he has lived in an apartment managed by Avalon Housing.  He has worked for the past two years as a groundskeeper at a local Avalon property.  With his steady work and frugal ways, Fred has been able to maintain a 1-bedroom apartment.  Avalon’s supportive housing offers a combination of:
• Non-profit affordable housing (for those who cannot afford housing even when spending 30% of their income on shelter) and 
• Flexible, individualized support services for tenants with special needs. 
This support is a lifeline for Fred and enables him to stabilize his life with meaningful work.  There are many elderly tenants where Fred lives, so he takes special care to make sure they have accessible sidewalks and bus stops around his building.  Fred also ensures that no one struggles with their trash or recycling, and that they get their mail.  He has notified appropriate city services when city spaces are not accessible due to snow or uneven sidewalks.  His humble work improves the lives of his neighbors.
We are blessed to have “Freds” in our lives; they show us every day, in small ways, how to live our Catholic Social Teaching of the sanctity and dignity of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Sufficient Income is Key to Maintaining Housing
According to data gathered in the last Point in Time Count, almost 30% of homeless individuals had attended college classes; 16% were working.  The HUD 2010 Fair Market Rent for an efficiency apartment in Ann Arbor was $649/mo; the income needed to afford it (with rent consuming 30% of a person’s income) was $25,960/yr ($12.48/hr at a full-time job). 
Our Lenten donations will go to the RAAH capital campaign, which will give $40,000 to Avalon Housing to help them preserve 72 affordable apartments currently owned and developed by the Washtenaw Affordable Housing Corporation.  These apartments are at risk of being lost or converted to higher-cost rental units if Avalon in unable to acquire them.  Our Lenten donations will help people like Fred stay housed!
**Remember, organizations like the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and Avalon Housing are always in need of volunteers**