National Housing Act Provides HUD Financing

Garfield Park Village

In 1959, the National Housing Act provided for HUD financed, low-interest loans for older adult affordable housing. The NBA had been working hard to provide more medical care for the aging population in its Homes with limited resources. Existing “life-care contracts” typically prevented residents from receiving public assistance. NBA’s response to these growing needs had been “to build or acquire more homes.” NBA began introducing “pay-type” Homes, such as Kennedy Memorial Home in Martinsville, IN, “the first national Home in which residents paid for their full care,” and cottage/apartment independent living for those who could afford to build or buy. (Inasmuch p109-110, 113.)

“Long before the first National Conference on Problems of the Aging in 1950, NBA publications recognized that quality of life… was becoming the major concern of older Americans… The Homes almost made a motto of Ralph Sockman’s words: “A Church Home is not a place to go to die comfortably; rather, it is a place to go to live creatively.” (Inasmuch, p112.)

Local churches across the country began asking “how they might provide housing for older adults in their congregations and neighborhoods.” Although the NBA Board had been opposed to pursuing HUD-financed facilities, California Christian Home and the Christian Church in Northern California region began pursuing the possibilities. Christian Church Homes of Northern California (CCHNC) was created “to hold title to the property and to make application for HUD financing,” which was “reluctantly” approved by the NBA Board. CCHNC’s first HUD-financed loan application was approved, and Garfield Park Village in Santa Cruz, CA, was dedicated in May 1964. Westlake Christian Terrace East followed in June 1968. (Inasmuch, p116.)

President Nixon placed a moratorium on HUD-financed housing in 1973, but NBA leadership and staff prepared for its return. After the moratorium was lifted in 1977, “NBA received more HUD projects than any other sponsor,” joining with local congregations to co-sponsor the communities. (Inasmuch 119, 125).