Pictured from left are Rachel Cody, Rick Gilbert, Jim Strauss and Julie Gorlesky standing on donated land. The group runs a new organization called “Home Again Foundation” to help local homeless and low-income populations receive affordable housing. (Photo provided)MINT HILL — The affordable housing crisis rages on in Charlotte as local churches host a variety of discussions and partner with Mecklenburg organizations such as Moore House, Room in the Inn, and Urban Ministries to combat income disparities. Currently, according to city reports, 34,000 families are priced out of affordable housing and are forced to find sustainable shelter some way or another, or not at all. Even though Urban Ministries reports 1,476 homeless people in Mecklenburg County, this does not account for those living with relatives or friends, in hotels, or in temporary unsustainable housing.
A year ago, after 23 years of running Room in the Inn at St. Luke, Rick Gilbert decided to do more.
“For the last 15 years I wanted to do more for the homeless. By more, I mean, I want to try to get the homeless into a home rather than have them go back on the street after a night. I came up with this idea years ago, but just never did anything with it. While discussing the idea one night at a Hornets game with Jim Strauss (a fellow parishioner), he said to me, ‘Rick, just do it. I will help you.’”
Soon afterwards, Gilbert and Strauss stood outside St. Luke Church with a small foam model village of two tiny cottages, a basket for donations and hundreds of brochures with big letters reading “Home Again Foundation.” After Mass, Gilbert explained his new adventure: The St. Luke ministry leader was creating a new organization called “Home Again Foundation” to help local homeless and low-income populations receive affordable housing.
St. Luke parishioners responded generously, and today the dream of Home Again Foundation has turned into a reality with board members and a fan club to match.
Although Home Again Foundation is a non-denominational effort, St. Luke members Rachel Cody (Gilbert’s daughter), Julie Gorlesky and Jim Strauss quickly came on board, creating by-laws, a marketing plan, and a vision. This year, Home Again Foundation has had its first land donation and is in the process of raising enough funds to start building.
Gorlesky explains, “There was a March 23 gala which was amazing. We titled it, ‘Home Again’s First Annual Bash.’ It was a celebration to get things rolling. We had well over 100 attendees and raised over $20,000. Coach LaMonte Odums from WBTV’s ‘Morning Break’ emceed the event. Ever since, he has become a big supporter of Home Again Foundation. The Monday following the event, Coach LaMonte spoke on his show about having the honor of emceeing our first bash and the vision of our organization.”
The donated land is cleared and ready for the first tiny cottage project to commence. The property will serve as the first prototype cottage village. Donors will be welcome to view the vision as well as the integrity of the structure. The idea is that residents will have a place to call home with the comfort of having the security they need.
The group also intends to build tiny cottages into a community setting when land allows. At these sites they hope to include community services that will help formerly homeless people get back on their feet, such as financial counseling and help from a case manager to guide them. Eventually, they will implement on-site training, daycare, medical assistance, a local grocery store, a community garden, and more.
The first candidate chosen is a familiar face at St. Luke. She was once a Room in the Inn guest. Now, she calls St. Luke her home church and will enter the RCIA program this fall.
Gorlesky explains, “When we first met, she had been homeless for 18 months. Now, she is currently in a living situation where 90 percent of her income goes towards rent. She did successfully transition from being homeless to an apartment, but it is not sustainable. In my opinion, the transition from being homeless to not being homeless was even harder for her.”
He continues, “One of the goals of Home Again Foundation’s model is to make sure residents are not only physically but emotionally ready to have a home. Transitioning into a home is difficult because it takes time to remember what it’s like to be yourself again. Where other organizations are offering affordable housing, some don’t consider what is going to make the person successful longevity wise. We hope the residents who are ‘Home Again’ will change the current perception of those who are homeless, at the risk of becoming homeless or are low income. We look forward to having so many great success stories that people are going to look at the homeless population differently.”
According to Strauss, their strategic plans for this year and 2020 includes establishing partnerships and launching a building campaign. The cost of each cottage will range from $35,000 to $70,000 to complete. Gilbert hopes to eventually have several large communities each housing 200 to 440 people. Land donations and financial backing as well as a slew of volunteers are a must.
— Lisa Geraci, Correspondent
Learn more
Support the Home Again Foundation or get more information about their efforts online at www.homeagainclt.org or email Rick Gilbert at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..