Parish Offers Home, Land, Security

By Mary Donovan

The best laid plans oft go astray, they say. Sometimes, though, astray is the best direction. Take the Little Brown House on Summer Street for example. Once headed for demolition, it is now ready to house a family in an emergency. (As of publication, it may already be occupied.)

Two years ago in March, the house was bought with an eye to parish expansion, but the downturn in the economy put an end to those plans. The empty house on the now unoccupied space became a challenge to the concept of social justice.

Led by Joan Fouhy of the parish Jubilee Justice committee, a group of parishioners and Fr. Paul formulated a unique plan: refurbish the house and make it available to a family experiencing a financial emergency involving housing. Joan described a common scenario: the building the family has been living in has been sold, and the new landlord requests the tenants to leave so renovations can be made.

In many cases the initial costs of renting a new living space are overwhelming. A family may need time to accumulate the necessary funds (first and last month’s rent and security deposit). If funds are not readily available, the family is in an uncomfortable hiatus. The concept of the Little Brown House is to give the family a breathing space while they regain their independence.

St. Mary’s is partnered with Catholic Charities in this endeavor. The Little Brown House board will be working out of Catholic Charities’ Homeward Bound program. The criteria for occupants is that they be a working family who have had some sort of bad luck which has made moving difficult.

According to Joan, the house has been inspected, the outside has been painted and there is a new garage door. There is a small lead paint issue which will be resolved, she said. The group have donations of $6000 to pay for renovations and utilities and "offers of hundreds of furnishing items, she said."

Deb Spangler, St. Mary’s contact with the Homeward Bound program, works closely with Catholic charities to meet the goal of getting the occupants on their feet within the maximum time of three months.

Meanwhile, and empty house and an appreciative family will be coming together as a result of a creative approach to a reversal of plan. Thanks to St. Mary’s.