A family we have been trying to get into a home will be moving into a 1800+ sq. ft house with an acre of land today! An incredible and deep hearted man in Williamsburg has made this possible. He gave up his home 2 years ago and moved to NN, since the basement had been flooded. I approached him about the possibility of renting the house, in return to repair the basement; supplies being at his cost, labor being volunteers to complete the work over time. While the work is in process, he is charging a rent of $100.00 for the family + electric ($75.00). The work will be long and hard since we must rip out the sheetrock, trench around the basement and install a french drain, then re-sheetrock. CALLING ALL VOLUNTEER CONTRACTORS. After the work is completed, he will only charge $300.00-400.00 for rent, with the possible option of a lease purchase by owner! And it is complete with many lovely rose bushes, apple trees, a pear tree and swing set with a fort. It is in their daughter's school district, as well. I asked the family how long it has been since they were in a place of their own (not a car or weekly hotel) and it has been shortly over a year. So God is wonderful and bartering works.

With as many abandoned houses around the area, if we could negotiate a home with repairs out of each, we wouldn't need a shelter.