- April 26, 2024
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A coalition of religious congregations is seeking to establish a public trust fund of $7 million to bring affordable housing to Volusia County, and, during a virtual candidates forum on Monday, Oct. 19, they asked for the support of all those running for a seat on the County Council.
The Fighting Against Injustice Towards Harmony nonprofit, also known as FAITH, is no stranger toward providing housing to those in need; it's been active in helping the homeless since 2011, according to the FAITH website, and played a role in bringing First Step Shelter to Daytona Beach. FAITH is made up of 30 congregations, including Ormond's Christ Presbyterian Church, Tomoka United Methodist, Community Unitarian Universalist and Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
This isn't a new venture for FAITH, as it's been calling for the creation of a local affordable housing trust fund since last year. The organization states Volusia needs 16,000 affordable residential units to solve the housing issue.
Rev. Caitlin White, director and campus pastor of the Stetson Wesley Foundation, said FAITH is committed to seeing each of these 16,000 families have access to affordable housing. The "powers that be" may tell them it's not possible this year due to the pandemic, White said, or they may say they can't make promises, but she maintained that the time to address affordable housing is now.
“I can be mistaken, but if there was a more critical moment than this one to ensure a booming, equitable economy and to create a vibrant community that we can all afford to live in, not just work in, I’m afraid I just can’t think of one," White said.
The candidates present during the forum were County Council Chair candidates Deb Denys and Jeff Brower, District 2 candidate Danny Fuqua, and District 4 candidates Heather Post and Barbara Bonarrigo. Incumbent County Councilwoman for District 2 Billie Wheeler was unable to attend due to a family emergency.
They were asked three questions. First, if they would support and advocate for an affordable housing trust fund, to which all answered yes.
Second, they were asked if they would support and direct county staff to identify a new sustainable revenue source to bring in $7 million for the fund. Post and Bonarrigo said yes; Denys initially said no, but changed to a yes after explaining that she supported directing county staff toward the cause but that she could not commit to a $7 million figure.
Brower said no, believing that the trust fund should not be spearheaded by government, but rather, taken on by a private entity.
Lastly, the candidates were asked to commit to attending the FAITH action assembly on March 22. All agreed to do so.
Post said the lack of affordable housing in Volusia is a "deeply-rooted" problem and that it must be addressed with common-sense solutions.
“I look at this as positive action toward taking care of struggling families in Volusia County," Post said. "This is being done effectively elsewhere, and our time is now.”
Bonarrigo also voiced support for FAITH's initiative.
“I’ve always been advocating for numerous things here in the community," Bonarrigo said. "I have been very active in our community and I’m so glad and happy to work with all of you once elected for Volusia County Council District 4.”
Karen Delisle, of Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona, is also co-chair of FAITH's housing committee. She said that, no matter who wins the election in November, FAITH has work to do since not every candidate answered yes to their questions. Regardless, Delisle said the organization will work with the elected officials to establish the trust fund.
“Faith truly does move mountains and faith does not go away," she said.
