It’s all about relationships. Sheltering Arms Coalition desires to empower the community around us into a lifestyle of service alongside the homeless. We will achieve this vision through taking a relational approach for connecting with our homeless brothers and sisters, instead of a transactional approach. When we bring an individual into a community with others, we truly begin to make a sustainable impact on their lives. Sheltering Arms Coalition believes that the single greatest cause of homelessness is a profound, catastrophic loss of family. That’s why our focus at Sheltering Arms Coalition is to do more than just provide adequate housing. We are developing a community with revolutionary services and attention to an individual’s relational needs at a fraction of the cost of traditional housing initiatives. We seek to empower our residents to build relationships with others, and to experience healing and restoration as part of engaging with a broader community.

Sheltering Arms Coalition has a basic philosophy that housing alone will never solve homelessness, but community will. Most often, the people found on the streets have a regular, albeit dysfunctional, community, even though they have no houses or shelter to live in. So the fundamental component that human beings need is human interaction; and human interaction occurs within community.

No, Sheltering Arms Coalition will provide permanent housing. The intent is that any individual who qualifies can live in the Village permanently, providing they pay their rent, abide by civil law and follow the rules of the community. We will however work with all residents with both in-house and outsourced agencies if a resident wants to transition out to something better.

One of our goals at Sheltering Arms Coalition is to transform the way people view the stereotype of individuals who find themselves homeless. We believe the stereotype of chronically homeless individuals as it relates to crime is actually wrong. Chronically homeless individuals are among the most vulnerable and most often are the victims of crime, as opposed to being the perpetrators of crime. Every neighborhood in any city at any time is susceptible to some level of criminal activity. Neighborhoods can mitigate potential criminal activity through strong vigilance. The very essence of Sheltering Arms Coalition is neighbor looking after neighbor. We are hopeful that our model and vigilance can be transferred to our surrounding neighbors so that they, too, can experience the safety and refuge that our residents will enjoy at Sheltering Arms Coalition.

In Texas, there is no discretionary land use authority outside of municipal boundaries. “Not in my backyard” (NIMBY) resistance most often leverages zoning to discriminate against populations of people they would prefer not to have in their neighborhoods. Sheltering Arms Coalition will sit just outside of the city limits; therefore, there is no zoning. We are, however required to comply with certain state regulations involving density and water quality. If you’re interested in understanding discretionary land use authority or zoning in your community, we recommend consulting with a land use expert specific to your state.

No, we do not believe our community will become a magnet to the chronically homeless population. We would, however, like to see Sheltering Arms Coalition become an example across the country of how to innovatively address homelessness. We will require Sheltering Arms Coalition residents to demonstrate proof of homeless dwelling for at least one year within the local area. This is to help assure that Sheltering Arms Coalition accomplishes its goal of addressing our area's problem of chronic homelessness.

There will be a spiritual life within Sheltering Arms Coalition, but no requirement to participate. Although Sheltering Arms Coalition is a Christian faith-based organization, our first priority is the dignity of the human person. Additionally, we have made a commitment as part of our privilege of having tax exempt status, to not discriminate against anyone. We have a deep abiding respect for all faiths and welcome all individuals into our community — both Sheltering Arms Coalition residents, and those who wish to volunteer or serve the residents living in our community.

We appreciate your generosity and willingness to support Sheltering Arms Coalition. While a monetary donation truly is the most compassionate way you can give, you can choose from one of three options ( link to the donation page with Paypal, the bus sponsors, and like goods needs) to help us at Sheltering Arms Coalition fulfill our mission

Yes, like any successful real estate housing development, there are full-time on-site property managers at Sheltering Arms Coalition. Full-time maintenance staff is also on-site at the property.

Individuals living in Sheltering Arms Coalition are required to follow three community covenants. Residents must: Pay rent on time Abide by civil law Follow the rules of the community itself (not unlike a homeowners association for a neighborhood)

Sheltering Arms Coalition has been developed with an approach similar to the Housing First! model, which believes an individual must first be adequately housed before important lifesaving services such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation would be effective. To go through rehab or receive other vital services, only to be released back onto the streets, is counterproductive. Sheltering Arms Coalition has taken this approach a step further by emphasizing Community First! At Sheltering Arms Coalition, we are providing more than just adequate housing. We are developing a community with revolutionary services and attention to an individual’s relational needs at a fraction of the cost of traditional housing initiatives. The emphasis at Sheltering Arms Coalition is on dignity, love, respect, abundance and acceptance. It is based on Scripture’s meaning of shalom, which describes a human at peace in all relationships: with God, oneself, other people, and the natural world. Please remember that the possession and distribution of controlled substances is against the law. We expect everyone living in Sheltering Arms Coalition to abide by the law. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Annual Report on Hunger and Homeless, 2006, 74% of the homeless surveyed are not substance abusers.

Each potential resident at Sheltering Arms Coalition will be required to complete the Coordinated Assessment intake, be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal background check processed by the FBI. Then, on a case-by-case basis, qualified personnel will review the applicant for their compatibility with Sheltering Arms Coalition and the community at large. Registered sex offenders are the only individuals who are strictly prohibited from living in Sheltering Arms Coalition.

There will be a broad range of services available on-site to the residents of Sheltering Arms Coalition, including: Case Management, Healthcare Services, Vocational Training, Micro-enterprise business opportunities through Sheltering Arms Coalition’ Community Works program, Regular farmers market to provide residents with healthy, nutritious and free vegetables harvested from the Community’s many gardens