Community House
Philadelphia, PAThe non-profit organization Compound Impact is helping refugees live the American Dream. Their latest project, Community House, is currently home to a family from Afghanistan.
Plans for Community House started more than a year before the family moved in. First, Compound Impact fundraised to gather the costs needed to purchase and rehab a home.
They sought out Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods, which is home to many successfully integrated Eastern European refugee families as well as Syrian and Afghan communities. They found the perfect house, to be known as Community House, just three blocks from their first project, Foundation House.
An essential element of the resettlement process is securing housing prior to a client's arrival. Through our partnership with Compound Impact, we are able to secure housing that is safe, affordable and accessible. We are thankful for their support and their interest in working with refugee populations as they make their first steps in their transition to the U.S.
Community House is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom row home with a partially-finished basement. After purchasing the home, Compound Impact brought in a general contractor and a number of subcontractors to complete a variety of upgrades and repairs. This included replacing flooring, updating the kitchen, new appliances, painting, and electrical work.
Once the upgrades on the property were completed, it raised the value of the home, and Compound Impact obtained a mortgage, based on the final improved property value. Community Lenders provided financing for the project.
To identify a refugee family in need of housing, Compound Impact worked with one of its partner refugee resettlement agencies, Nationalities Services Center (NSC). NSC typically assists refugee families for their first 90 days in the U.S. to find work and help them adjust to local communities and cultures.
After a family is financially self-sufficient, they are welcome to live at Community House for as long as they like. However, many choose to relocate to be closer to their jobs or to other neighborhoods they discover a sense of community in.
Ultimately, each home is financially self-sufficient after a family moves in. For any surplus in funds, Compound Impact supports gospel initiatives globally.
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