Light the Way Home

Service-enriched housing recognizes that housing is central to the way people live and how they feel about themselves, and is directly related to their ability to acquire the skills and stability to live productive lives.  This ministry combines community development, integrated services, mentoring, and resident empowerment to eliminate many barriers contributing to the cycle of poverty.  It includes transitional and permanent rental housing for low-moderate income population in the Franklinton neighborhood in which quality, relational, spiritual, and holistic social services are available. 

Quality, affordable rental housing is often unaffordable to many working families, making the need for service-enriched rental housing that leads to homeownership critical for the overall stability of the neighborhood.  

The need throughout Franklinton for quality, affordable rental housing continues to grow, and yet rent is often unaffordable to many working families.  A full time worker needs to earn $12.31 an hour or $25,600 a year to afford rent and utilities for a two bedroom market rate apartment in Franklin County.  In 2000, nearly sixty percent (60%) of Franklinton households had incomes below $25,000.  To further compound the problem, over seventy percent (70%) of Franklinton housing is renter-occupied, and many of those properties are in disrepair.  

Everyone Wins!

  •  Supporters win by knowing that they are making a sound investment in which they can see immediate and long-term results

  • Franklinton wins by increasing homeownership and retaining quality workers, students and families, making this an even greater neighborhood

  • Lower Lights Ministries wins by stabilizing living conditions of current and prospective participants who can be effectively developed as leaders

  • Families win by getting the opportunity to own a home – a dream most can never realize or even imagine

What Services are Provided: 

  • Affordable housing

  • Job training and placement

  • Financial management

  • Team-oriented mentoring

  • Crisis intervention and short-term case management

  • Access to neighborhood and community resources and service

  • Special recreational and social events

  • Resident participation in the decision-making process