A few years ago, the Adams County Community Foundation conducted an assessment of community needs. This is the job of a community foundation—to keep an eye on all the moving parts of a community to see where we might need to apply a little oil. Or, occasionally, duct tape.

Taking a broad look at every segment of our county’s population, we saw that most people were coping. They had jobs, often in a neighboring county, and a roof over their head. They were fine. They were coping. They were surviving.

The question we then asked ourselves was, “What would it take to build resilience. To help our neighbors withstand a financial setback?

As we thought about this question, we saw three intersecting needs that together make living truly affordable in Adams County. People need jobs that pay a living wage, an affordable place to live, and transportation to get them between home and work and everywhere else they need to go. 

Our idea was not just to attract jobs, build housing and develop transit in Adams County. Our idea was bigger and more far reaching: to change the perspectives of the people who make decisions about jobs, housing and transportation. To move beyond the framework of a typical community foundation.

Because when you shift perspective—when you look at a room from the inside instead of through a window, or when you stand in the valley instead of on top of the mountain—you see something different.

With the help of the Forward Fund, the Community Foundation committed $150,000 over three years to this big idea about affordable living. The Affordable Housing coalition named it @Home in Adams County, and we enlisted South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) to be the “boots on the ground” for @Home. I’m proud to say that, despite the inevitable setbacks caused by the pandemic, SCCAP has made real progress toward our vision. Our board has recently sent the third year’s grant to SCCAP to continue the effort.

Here’s one small example of why we’re proud: An exception in zoning will make it possible for small, temporary “granny cottages” to be installed on the same lot with a family member’s home. These cottages allow elders to live independently but safely and affordably, close to family.  That zoning exception represents a change in perspective.

Along with this and other ideas for housing, the @Home team will continue to work with elected officials, employers, County agencies, transportation providers and others on creative solutions for those three key needs: livable-wage jobs, affordable housing, and transportation.

In this generous community of Adams County, there’s no reason we can’t lift all our neighbors beyond simply surviving. We can help build resilience through affordable living. It’s not the typical work of a community foundation, but it’s the work Adams County demands we do.

What do you think it takes to build a resilient community? Share your thoughts with me at rserpe@adamscountycf.org

Ralph Serpe is president & CEO of the Adams County Community Foundation. He can be reached at rserpe@adamscountycf.org or 717-337-0060.