Mary is a current tenant at Main Street Housing (Flat River Outreach Ministries 10-unit affordable housing building). This is part of a series of articles from Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) which highlight the need for affordable housing in Lowell.
Faced with an unsafe living situation and the threat of rising rent, Mary knew she had to do something.
“I was like ‘I’ve got to do something,’” she said. “I’m not getting [anywhere]. I’m not paying any bills. I’m not helping my credit. I’m just losing money and making myself depressed.”
She was paying $700 a month to rent a small room where she couldn’t open the windows or leave the room without fear of a dog attacking her or her cat.
Mary had applied to live at FROM’s Main Street Housing in the past, but the available unit wasn’t a good fit for her. She decided to apply again, and this time, she was able to move in.
Moving to Main Street Housing has had a positive impact on her financially, as well as helping improve her mental health, and stay more positive.
“I’m actually watching my credit go up, I’m getting everything paid off, I’m able to help my dad,” Mary said. “If I was still in that spot, I would not be able to help my dad…I wouldn’t be able to do everything an adult should be able to help their parents do.”
She’s thankful for the positive impact that stable and affordable housing has had on her life and the foundation she is building, living in the community where she has support.
“I’m doing it on my own. I’m here in Lowell, that’s all I wanted,” she said.
When asked about why affordable housing is so important to the Greater Lowell community, Mary was quick to share.
“People deserve [affordable housing]. They deserve the opportunity, that’s what they deserve.”
Currently, FROM is working to raise $3.3 million to build 17 more units of affordable and supportive housing across three new buildings. These buildings will be located next to their current rental house at 504 Main Street. They’ll be a combination of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedrooms which will house a single person up to a family of four, and up to 40 people at any given time.
To learn more about the Building Foundations, Building Hope campaign, visit fromlowell.org/buildinghope. If you are interested in making a contribution, reach out to our Development Director, Arianne Hall by phone (616.897.8260) or email ([email protected]) or click here.
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