STABLE
Greccio provides long-term affordable housing. Our residents are required to sign leases; for many it’s the first time they have done so. The stability provided by having a lease can empower a resident to focus on whatever is preventing them from improving their lives, whether it be finishing their education, finding a better job, dealing with substance abuse, or any other problem. Often our residents are challenged by others’ needs, such as young children or a sick relative. There is no maximum time, so residents are welcome to stay as long as they need to.
Nearly a third of Greccio’s units are rented to families. Typically, the parents are struggling to establish stability in their lives and the lives of their children. These families rarely have the financial safety net necessary to provide long-term stability. While many are able to cope well when life is on an even keel, one downturn — such as a short-term illness, a decrease in work hours, or unexpected car repairs — can leave a responsible, well-intentioned resident in crisis. Greccio has the flexibility to help residents work through these situations by offering a payment plan for their rent, and referring them to other community resources for food, clothing, and other emergency needs.
For the 25% of our residents who are on fixed income (seniors, disabled veterans, and those who receive disability payments) Greccio provides an opportunity to remain independent and postpone the move into assisted living. We are always happy to work with a resident in retro-fitting an apartment to accommodate special needs. This could mean putting in a light as a doorbell, providing emergency information in Spanish or Braille, adding a ramp . . . or whatever it takes.
For the 75% of our residents commonly referred to as the working poor, living at Greccio enables them to make ends meet each month. Perhaps it’s a single parent with young children at home, who chooses to wait until the children are in school to work more hours. Or someone who is working part-time while going to school. After a few years, when their incomes are higher, these people are likely to move into higher-end apartment complexes which offer amenities. In several cases, residents have saved their pennies while at Greccio and been able to afford the down payment on a home when they left.
