The article leaves out several of Shuttlesworth's achievements in Cincinnati. Here is one:
The Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation
500 Cincinnati families now own a small piece of America
more than 1200 children have permanent homes in a neighborhood of the family’s choice
$29,000,000 worth of housing has become homeownership
families are saving for the future as the house increases in value
realtors and mortgage lenders have gained about $4,300,000 in fees and commissions
Family “S”, a single mother with three sons, was living in public housing in the West End, surrounded by drugs and crime. She worked for an insurance company, and could qualify for a mortgage, but lacked a downpayment. Only $650 from the Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation made it possible to buy a home in Westwood where the boys each have their own bedroom, and a yard in which to play. Family “H” with its six children were living in a 2-bedroom apartment…and then the twins were born. He worked nights; they could just barely afford homeownership. After they found a modest house with a full basement, the Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation granted $800 to help with the closing costs: two parents and eight children had better housing! Family “H”, a pair of hard-working restaurant employees, found a house in Mt. Auburn just right for their three daughters, but needed $1000 to close on the contract. The Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation made a grant….and homeownership happened. Mrs. “A” said: “This is a turning point for me and a new change in my life. Something I’ve always wanted is my own house, and now I own it thanks to the Foundation”….after the Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation made a $1300 grant to help her, two sons, and a grandchild become homeowners. Mrs. “M” said: “As a working class person, I thought our chances of homeownership were slim or none. Now we can move up into a better living situation for our two children. This house is a dream come true for us.”
“The explosion was so powerful, I thought the world was coming to an end…the Reverend stood in the middle of this rubble and talked about nonviolence. In the middle of that house leaning over…he gave a sermon”
- Freedom’s Children
Late in 1988, Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth decided to donate his own money to give “a lift to people on the way up” to homeownership. Better Housing League immediately offered homeownership counseling to applicant families and fundraising help to the Foundation. It was decided that grant monies would be allocated to families, with a priority to those with young children and those moving up from subsidized rental housing, for part of the closing costs and downpayment required for homeownership. All participants must be able to pay their mortgages and manage their homes. In 1991, the Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation became a fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which acts as its fiscal agent. Because of this partnership, the Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation incurs no overhead costs and can dedicate all its resources to making homeownership happen.
A partnership of the Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation, Better Housing League, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the City of Cincinnati…and the many generous organizations, foundations, and individuals who provide the grant money. Tax-deductible donations may be made to: SHF-Greater Cincinnati Foundation 300 W. Fourth St Cincinnati OH 45202
The Shuttlesworth Housing Foundation The First 500 Homeowners
1989 - 2000
“a lift to people on the way up”
Cincinnati, Ohio
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