Members of St. John’s of Norwood Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase donated the money they collected on Christmas Eve to cover the rents of 11 people who live in Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless’ (MCCH) Home First Permanent Supportive Program.
When church leaders learned the federal government may slash funding for the program and add more limitations on who was eligible, they decided to get involved.
“That was really troubling,” The Rev. Anne Derse, deacon and minister for community engagement, told MCM.
Christine Hong, chief of Montgomery County’s Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, spoke at the church’s adult forum and explained how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds have allowed chronically homeless people to live inside while receiving supportive services.
The county receives $12 million annually in Continuum of Care grant funds for this and other housing programs. While some of that funding is not expected to totally dry up, its future is murky.
When Hong told church members that people in the program were living successfully, “That touched the hearts of the congregation,” Derse said.
They decided to use their Christmas plate offerings and donate all of it to help. This is not the first time these church members have stepped up to aid others. They previously donated $25,000 for an ambulance for Ukraine.
This time, they donated approximately $15,000, which will be used to pay the January rents of 11 households, Derse said.
While acknowledging, “It’s really a longer-term problem,” she noted, “At least we could put our finger in the dike.” she said. “We just have to do what we can.”
Hong was very grateful, noting, “That was really, really amazing support.” She added, “It really is a Christmas miracle, truly the most incredible gift.”
The HUD grant expires at the end of this month, and officials are unsure if the county will receive the money promised for January or during any of 2026. The county receives $14,000 monthly for rents, she said.
“At a time when many are searching for ways to put their faith and values into action, St. John’s has shown what it looks like to open wide the doors of generosity and care for the most vulnerable in our community. This remarkable act of compassion means that 11 of our neighbors who have experienced homelessness will remain safely housed, surrounded by stability and hope as we begin a new year,” it stated in the MCCH newsletter.
Members of the church on Wisconsin Avenue voted to donate proceeds of its Christmas Eve collection. Derse said she believes the collection, along with checks the church received, covered the needed $15,000. If not, she said the church will kick in other money to reach that entire amount.
The goal, she explained, was not just to keep these families in their homes, but also to give the county another month to figure out how to keep the program going.
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