Affordable Housing: Why It Matters

At St. Mary’s, we believe that faith is not only something we practice inside the walls of our church—it’s something we live out in our neighborhood. When Jesus told us to “love your neighbor as yourself,” he wasn’t giving us a metaphor. He was calling us to real, tangible care for one another, including making sure everyone has a safe place to live.

Housing as a Human Need

Home is the crucible where life unfolds: where kids do homework, families gather, and friends become neighbors. When housing becomes unstable, everything suffers—health, work, relationships. In Ramona, homeownership remains out of reach for many: the median home sale price recently sat around $600,000, and homes often sell within just over a month.

Renters face their own strain. The average rent is now near $1,590/month—just slightly below the national average—but still requires households to spend about 26–30% of their monthly income on housing alone.

A Spiritual Commitment

In scripture, God shows a consistent concern for the vulnerable—the widow, the orphan, the stranger. The prophets rail against societies where the wealthy prosper while the poor are pushed aside. Jesus himself was born into a family with no place at the inn. To care about housing is to care about the heart of God’s mission: building communities where everyone can flourish.

Why Churches Care

Faith communities are uniquely positioned to help meet this need. Churches are often land-rich, people-strong, and motivated by love. By exploring ways to use our property for affordable housing, we are asking: How can our resources serve not only our congregation, but our whole town? How can we be good neighbors in a way that will bless Ramona for generations to come?

Our Vision

At St. Mary’s, we are discerning how best to use our land to provide affordable homes and create space for community support. This is not just a building project; it’s a spiritual one. We believe God is calling us to invest in a future where seniors can age with dignity, families can thrive without fear of eviction, and young people can imagine a life rooted in this community.

An Invitation

We invite you to pray with us, dream with us, and walk with us. Affordable housing isn’t just about economics—it’s about love. It’s about creating a neighborhood that reflects the kingdom of God, where everyone belongs, everyone has a place, and everyone can find rest.