The Adams County Affordable Housing Initiative
The goal of the Adams County Affordable Housing Initiative is that all residents of Adams County will have opportunities to live in safe, affordable housing, find suitable employment and access viable transportation options.
Background
Based on information gathered in community needs assessment, the Adams County Community Foundation brought together a coalition consisting of five Adams County nonprofits (Adams County Community Foundation, Adams County Housing Authority, United Way of Adams County, Healthy Adams County, and South Central Community Action Programs). The coalition convened a task force representing a cross section of the community including government officials, nonprofit leaders, business leaders, educators, and the community at large. This task force identified the need to coordinate resources and advocate for solutions to complex, inter-related issues facing the residents of Adams County: safe, affordable housing; transportation; and workforce development.
In 2017, the coalition engaged CTY Consulting Group to develop a three-year strategic plan. The Adams County Affordable Housing Coalition Strategic Plan has three primary imperatives:
(1) Increase the accessibility of affordable housing options by raising awareness of the issue, supporting initiatives to create affordable housing, and establishing mechanisms to create private public partnerships;
(2) Increase transportation options by raising awareness and developing private/public partnership opportunities; and
(3) Increase the availability and variety of employment in Adams County by focusing on sustainable wage employment opportunities across the community.
In 2018, the Adams County Community Foundation committed $150,000 to build an effective infrastructure to pull together partners, constituents and additional financial support. Interested parties responded to an RFP to tackle issues larger than any nonprofit, business or government can do on its own.
In 2019, the Community Foundation selected South Central Community Action Programs to coordinate the project.
Current and Future Activity
For up to date information and to participate in this initiative, go to the @Home in Adams County website.