Agenda - 09-11-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r Q ' a _ fljrange County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. 118 CoI lums Rd. Chapel Hill, NC 2 7514 1 The Rev. Rick Edens President, InterFaith Council 207 Wilson Ct. Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Dear Rick: Following our previous phone conversations, this is a letter formally requesting the assistance of IFC in applying for a Demonstration Project Grant from the state, but administered through the Orange County Com- missioners. The problem that arises from our p ers e v the national board of Habitat forHumanityhassestablish- ' ed a policy that they (and we) do not accept any govern- mental grants. The rationale is that part of Habitat' s mission is to make parishes and individual Christians aware of the plight of the poor, and encourage their per- sonal and direct responsibility through organizations like Habitat. Secondarily, there are concerns about either getting enmeshed in governmental red tape and ! bureaucracy, or becoming overly dependent on govern- mental sources of income. However, the national board and local affiliates encourage cooperation with local governmental agencies in providing assistance where possible, including the acceptance of land and materials. There is some debate about this at the national board level, but the policy as stated ("we accept no direct governmental dollars") is the rule. Our own local board has its own debate. To ask IFC to become our "middleman" in this process solves the letter of the law, but possibly violates the spirit of the "law". To call it that, structurally you must understand that each affiliate is incorporated independently, but maintains a "covenant" relationship of good faith with the national organization. I am advocating that we persue the grant through the county I , with IFC' s assistance. We have asked for $140, 000 to fund the construction of 4 houses ($35,000/house X 4 houses) , this fee includes material costs and labor costs, which the project grant is authorized to reimburse. It is innovative in approach, utilizing modular construction and volunteers. "Building Houses in Partnrrship with Cod's Peonle in Need"