Lutheran
Alliance
To Create Housing
Strategic
Plan §
Executive Summary
Adopted by the LATCH Board of
Directors
January 20, 2004
Our
Values
All of the
work that LATCH does is informed by the following values, which are
rooted in our faith in God and are a reflection of God’s love. We
believe in:
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Service. Our faith calls us to serve.
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Justice. All people, regardless of circumstance, have a right to live in
affordable housing
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Community. We are all connected and responsible for each other’s well-being.
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Integrity. We tell the truth and honor commitments.
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Dignity. All people deserve respect, acceptance, and compassion.
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Collaboration. We do our work in partnership.
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Diversity. We draw on the wisdom and resources of people with many different
backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, to serve diverse
communities.
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Stewardship. We are committed to the productive use of the resources entrusted to us.
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Results. We set goals and achieve them.
Our
Vision
A world
where every person lives in safe, affordable housing in a caring
community of their own choosing.
Our
Mission
As a
coalition of churches, we build safe and nurturing communities that
recognize the right to affordable housing, the importance of
self-determination, and the value of mutual respect. We work
collaboratively to develop and maintain housing, create resident-managed
rental cooperatives, and advocate for public policies that address the
needs of our communities.
Strategic Goals:
1. Housing
Development:
To increase the supply of affordable housing in the Puget Sound region,
by building and acquiring rental housing for families and individuals
with limited incomes and by providing technical assistance to
congregations and others interested in developing affordable housing.
2. Asset
Management: To ensure
the long-term financial and physical health of LATCH properties, by
implementing sound property and asset management policies and practices.
3. Community-Building:
To build strong communities that foster independence, interdependence
and accountability, especially through the development and support of
resident-managed rental cooperatives.
4. Grassroots
Advocacy: To advocate for public policies
that encourage the creation and preservation of affordable housing and
that provide essential services to LATCH residents, by mobilizing our
network of church and community volunteers and by collaborating with
other affordable housing, service provider and advocacy organizations.
5. Membership
Development:
To
strengthen the coalition of LATCH churches, by offering a program of
education to congregations, providing opportunities for meaningful
involvement of church volunteers, and encouraging additional
congregations to become members of LATCH.
6. Organizational
Effectiveness:
To promote good stewardship and strengthen the
effectiveness of LATCH programs, by engaging in planning that addresses
identified community needs and measures outcomes; implementing sound
financial and administrative systems and practices; and nurturing the
development of strong staff and volunteer leadership.
7. Financial
Stability:
To diversify and expand our funding
base, by increasing contributions from churches, individuals,
corporations and foundations and by exploring the development of
alternative revenue sources.
8. Effective
Governance:
To
ensure strong, effective leadership of LATCH, by developing a highly
skilled Board of Directors that is representative of LATCH
constituencies and actively committed to LATCH’s mission and goals.
_____________________
Building Community
In our rental
cooperatives, each resident shares in the property’s management and
maintenance. Residents keep the grounds clean, interview prospective tenants, and participate in community meetings.
As members of a cooperative, residents get to know each other well,
overcoming the isolation often experienced by apartment dwellers and
single-parent families.
Speaking Out
LATCH makes
available a variety of educational resources to churches, including
speakers on affordable housing-related topics. Through our advocacy
network, LATCH mobilizes and equips volunteers to speak out on issues
of housing justice.
