Category: Social Action

Pinellas homeowners can get zero-interest loan for major repairs

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Pinellas County is seeking new qualified applicants for the Home Repair Loan Program, which can provide up to $55,000 in a zero-interest loan for windows, roofs, air conditioning and other critical repairs.

Additionally, the County has recently increased its Independent Living Grant for homeowners to add accessibility improvements like wheelchair ramps or grab bars, with up $20,000 now available.

Homeowners who make up to $48,650 as an individual annually ($69,500 for a famliy of four) can qualify for both programs to make improvements to their primary residence.

The programs are available for homes in unincorporated Pinellas and most cities, except for Belleair, Largo, Clearwater and St. Petersburg; residents in these areas can check with their cities for similar assistance.

Home Repair Loan Program (Zero-interest loan up to $55,000)


•Roof – including soffit/fascia
•Windows and exterior doors
•Air conditioning/heating
•Housing Code related electrical upgrades
Independent Living Program (Accessibility Grant up to $20,000)
•Wheelchair ramps
•Railing
•Bathroom grab bars
•Tub to shower conversions
•Walk-in or roll-in showers
•ADA-approved toilets
•Door widening
•Other improvements to promote barrier-free housing

To qualify for either program, the applicant’s home cannot exceed a just value of $375,000 based on valuation of the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

Spanish

El Condado Pinellas busca nuevos solicitantes para el Programa de Préstamos para Reparaciones del Hogar, que puede ofrecer un préstamo sin intereses de hasta $55,000 para ventanas, techos, aire acondicionado y otras reparaciones urgentes.

Además, el Condado aumentó recientemente el Subsidio de Vida Independiente para que los dueños de casas puedan hacer mejoras de accesibilidad, como rampas para sillas de ruedas o barandas, y ahora el subsidio es de hasta $20,000.

Los dueños de casas que ganan hasta $48,650 al año como un individuo ($69,500 para una familia de cuatro) pueden calificar para ambos programas para hacer mejoras en su residencia principal.

Los programas están disponibles para las casas en áreas no incorporadas de Pinellas y la mayoría de las ciudades, a excepción de Belleair, Largo, Clearwater y St. Petersburg; los residentes en estas áreas pueden consultar con sus ciudades para una ayuda similar.

Los detalles del programa y la solicitud están disponibles en línea en: pinellas.gov/homerepair.

Mejoras elegibles

Programa de Préstamos para la Reparación de Casas (Préstamo sin intereses de hasta $55,000)

Techo – incluyendo sofito/fascia
Ventanas y puertas exteriores
Aire acondicionado/calefacción
Mejoras eléctricas relacionadas con el Código de Vivienda

Programa de Vida Independiente (Subsidio de accesibilidad de hasta $20,000)

Rampas para sillas de ruedas
Barandas
Barras de apoyo para el baño
Conversiones de bañera a ducha
Duchas con puerta o aptas para sillas de rueda
Inodoros aprobados por la Ley ADA
Ensanchamiento de puertas
Otras mejoras para promover viviendas sin barreras

Lincoln Cemetery

The Lincoln Cemetery

There is a long history associated with the Lincoln Cemetery which was at one time designated for burial of Black people in St. Petersburg.  The land was ceded by the city  to Gulfport.  Now there is an initiative for the city boundaries to be redrawn with the Lincoln Cemetery back within the boundaries of the City of St. Petersburg.  

Most of the people who are buried in the Lincoln Cemetery were from the City of St. Petersburg not Gulfport.  Some of the families who still live locally and have loved ones buried in the Lincoln Cemetery would like to have the Cemetery reincorporated into St. Petersburg.  The reclaiming of the Lincoln Cemetery is what we as Christians would call a prophetic action.  It is a symbolic action that honors the lives of those in the Cemetery and their families and redresses a past wrong. 

This initiative has been led by Josette Green who is part of the weekly labyrinth walk community at Lakewood church.  

The annexation of the Lincoln Cemetery is coming before the St. Petersburg City Council.  Please consider contacting your council member and expressing your support for the reclamation of the Lincoln Cemetery by the City of St. Petersburg. 

Click here for a sample letter.

Protecting Public Education from Christian Nationlism

SB 1044/HB 931: Why Chaplains in Public Schools Are a Bad Idea Government-sanctioned chaplains make sense in some settings, but not in public schools.There are contexts in which individuals cannot access their religious services — such as the military, a prison, or a hospital — which is hardly the case for children in public school. Military members may have security or language barriers in finding a house of worship while on deployment. Incarcerated individuals are not given a “religious hall pass” to leave prison and attend the corporate worship service of their own choosing. Hospitalized patients may be too sick or far away from their congregations to engage in meaningful religious exercise. Public school children simply do not face the barriers to religious exercise that service members, prisoners, and patients face.

Here are some talking points about this bill:Families, not the government, are responsible for their children’s spiritual development. The government should not assert authority for the spiritual development and formation of public school children. Public schools should not interfere or alter parental decisions in the realm of religious exercise or spiritual care.Parents or guardians must have the right to choose the religious leaders who will influence their children’s spiritual journey. In order to do this, they must have enough information to choose a spiritual care provider. Awareness of a chaplain’s religious/denominational affiliation (or none) is not enough information to make an informed decision. Faith is voluntary and should not be coerced. There is no requirement in this law that the chaplains refrain from proselytizing while at schools or that they serve students from different religious backgrounds. This lack of proper boundaries surrounding what chaplains are allowed to do is very problematic. Passing a background check is not a sufficient litmus test to be given the title of “chaplain.” Professional chaplains have specific education and expertise to fulfill their role in helping others engage their own religious practices and traditions.Chaplains are typically required to have a graduate theological degree and be supported by an approved organization connected to their spiritual tradition. In some settings, chaplains also must have one to two years of full-time experience as a religious or spiritual leader prior to becoming a chaplain. Many chaplains are ordained in their faith tradition. Board certified chaplains in healthcare go through a rigorous certification process, pursuing hundreds of hours of extensive training and hands-on experience. More information is needed about the requirements for becoming a volunteer chaplain within this bill. Proper chaplaincy training prepares chaplains to follow the lead of the individuals seeking spiritual care without imposing their own faith tradition upon the individual. (For example, a Jewish military chaplain would advocate that a Muslim service member be able to pray the five daily prayers while deployed. A Christian hospital chaplain would help an atheist patient explain to her family that she has peace of mind in her belief that there is no afterlife because it is the type of spiritual care requested.)Consider supporting religious freedom and parental rights by rejecting this harmful program to have government-approved chaplains in our public schools. Contact your legislators TODAY!Click on the proposed house and senate bills which are identical to read more: SB 1044; HB 931. To read about the advocacy work done in Texas on a similar school chaplains bill, click here. 
We are looking for clergy and laity who are willing to set aside time to go to Tallahassee ONE TIME during the 2024 Legislative Session in order to make visits and give testimony before Florida legislators. Please consider joining us to make your voice heard. 

Your participation can make such a difference for Florida children and families!!