Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence
El Barrio Homes
East Harlem, NY
El Barrio Homes is an effort to create affordable housing for religious and social service workers in the neighborhoods where they work and minister in East Harlem, NY. Still in the early stages, the program hopes to provide single rooms and apartments for clergy, volunteer workers and others in order to build community and engagement in the neighborhood. Founded by Chris Lawrence, El Barrio Homes works to fully invest in the local neighborhood in a holistic way that builds community and strengths support systems for all.
Housing costs are out of reach for many religious and social justice workers in New York City, forcing many to live far from the neighborhoods where they work and minister. El Barrio Homes is an attempt to create housing models that will foster community and engagement in NY neighborhoods.
El Barrio Homes, currently under fiscal sponsorship, will be developed as a 501c3 and will be initially funded by grants and for-profit investors, both individuals and institutions, who will have the option to cash out after seven years. Monies from the rent income will be used to pay for all property operating costs while we continue to acquire more housing units with new money from a network of ethicalinvestors.”
The team is committed to Jesus-centered companionship alongside those struggling with the tough challenges of loneliness, loss of direction, isolation, and poor health.
Originally hailing from England, Chris worked on community housing for Christians and others involved in social justice work in London and brings this experience to NY.
The Board for El Barrio Homes is made up of local pastors and neighborhood residents and the value of the ecosystem of the local neighborhood is emphasized as central to the work.
About: Chris Lawrence is the founder of El Barrio Homes. Chris and his family relocated from England to East Harlem, NY in 2014. A bi-vocational minister, Chris seeks to explore and give theological and spiritual meaning to what he calls the “art of neighboring.” Chris also practices“hyper-localism;” he focuses his ministry in an area of four square blocks and wants to know those four blocks in every way possible.
