St. Andrew’s Helps Lead East County Housing Effort

When St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in La Mesa began looking for a meaningful way to respond to homelessness in East County, its leaders chose to focus on one of the region’s most urgent needs: housing. Through the church’s support of the East County Housing First Faith Coalition, St. Andrew’s has helped turn a shared concern among local faith communities into a practical effort to move families and individuals from homelessness into stable housing.

East County faces a critical shortage of low-income housing and very few shelter opportunities. More than 9% of the total unhoused population in the county lives here, and we feel compelled to care for those with the greatest need.  They are our mothers, brothers, sisters, children, and grandparents. What can we do to not just put a bandage on the problem, but to provide a real solution?

The East County Housing First Faith Coalition (ECHFFC–a mouthful!) was launched in the fall of 2024 after some East County church congregants read Grace Can Lead Us Home by Kevin Nye. The main message of the book was that getting unhoused people into housing was the most important thing we can do. About ten of us, representing various faith communities in East County, began meeting with the goal of identifying or creating new housing options for unhoused neighbors in our area. We initially thought we would try to purchase a large house or a small apartment complex, but we didn’t have enough resources, so we shifted our focus to renting housing.  Many different non-profits and governmental agencies are involved in housing, but faith groups working and praying together can make a profound difference.

 Now, 26 faith groups and organizations are helping make housing available in the East Region, where very few shelters serve so many of our neighbors.

Last fall (2025), St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in La Mesa stepped forward with an amazing gift. They pledged $46,750 a year for two years, starting in January 2026. With those funds in hand, our partner Crisis House helped us vet potential recipients and find suitable housing. In April of this year, we were able to rent an apartment for an unhoused family–a working mom and two children. Several churches helped find furniture and furnishings to make the apartment livable and attractive.  

We understand that “housing first” means not only housing but also supportive services to ensure that formerly homeless people can be successful in their new housing situation. Crisis House is the first-line provider of case management and selection support for neighbors we are working to house.  Faith communities can offer additional support through volunteers trained as allies to walk beside our neighbors during their adjustment period.  We are working with the non-profit You Did It For Me to help faith communities train and support these companions.  Crisis House and You Did It For Me are donating their time and talent to give support. 

If you want to learn more about the “housing first” approach that helped inspire this work, EDSD is hosting a five-week online study of Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness by Kevin Nye, beginning September 1 at 6:30 p.m. Together, participants will explore the realities of homelessness, the importance of housing, and how Christians and congregations can respond with compassion, relationship, and faithful action.

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Additionally, we have a chance to rent a below-market-rate apartment and would love to have your support, both individually and as a congregation, as we strive to offer supportive housing. If you would like to contribute either as an individual or a congregation, please contact Meredith Riffel, 619-219-4993 or meredithriffel5@gmail.com

We use a fiscal agent, CASA Neighborhoods to hold the funds and provide additional support.