On October 3, 2024, we gathered as a community to celebrate the groundbreaking of Love Forward Homes. This new 10-unit transitional housing facility represents a major expansion of our transitional housing program, which has already helped over 70 families reset their lives and secure permanent housing since 2015.

We couldn't have reached this point without the unwavering support of our community. We are deeply grateful to the City of Columbia and the Boone County Commissioners for their generous funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to The Crossing Church for their incredible generosity and investment through their Easter offering. We are excited to partner with Prost Builders to complete this project in late 2025.

Together, we will create a safe and welcoming space where families can reset and find stability and hope for the future. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support means the world to us.

“What stood out to the Boone County commission was the fact that this is focused on families and children. And pulling people out of that stream of a crisis situation or homelessness and helping stabilize and getting them back on their feet quickly,” Boone County Presiding Commissioner, Kip Kendrick, said in an interview with Brian Hauswirth, News Director for 939 The Eagle.

"Which was both an example of this perfect sort of public, private, faith-based communities, non-profits coming together for solutions to some of our housing problems that we have,” Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said in an interview with Brian Hauswirth, News Director for 939 The Eagle.

The Crossing Church co-lead pastor, Dave Cover, encouraged us to focus on the accomplishment of creating a place to help ten families at a time rather than seeing our efforts as a small dent in the overwhelming need for housing.

“We’re doing for ten families at a time, what we wish we could do for everybody in Columbia who needs housing. We are doing what we can. Maybe, as we continue to come together and stay committed, we’ll find a way to do this for everybody who needs it. For the ten families at a time who live in this building, the opportunity will be lifesaving, life changing. So may God bless this building and bless those families year after year who live in it.”

"Last year we topped out at 615 students, that’s not total families, but students that were actually identified in homeless status. And I always say those are the ones that identified and came forward, we probably have another 400 or 500 that don’t come forward," Ranita Norwood, Director of Student Services for Columbia Public Schools and Love Columbia board member said.

"Watching Love Columbia through these years do a lot of hotel vouchers for those families has just been great, but to be here today, and know that something more long-term and sustainable is being built. I am so overjoyed to be a part of that, as a Columbia Public Schools partner with Love Columbia and as a Love Columbia board member. So can I ring the joy bell now?”

A Family Loved Forward

"We really wanted to get out of our situation and find permanent housing so the Love Columbia house was the best thing that could have happened to us. We are so grateful for the opportunity to stay in the house and for all the help finding a new home."

Terrance and Erika were fortunate to secure a housing choice voucher through CMCA and our staff helped them locate a four-bedroom house in Jefferson City. The landlord accepted them and even reduced the rent because we were able to share how immaculate the family kept our house.

“Our family works as a team. Everyone has a chore each day so we keep things neat and tidy," Terrance said. When asked how he has made so much progress while living in the house, Terrance shared, “The key is dedication. You have to keep working even when you don’t feel like it for the sake of your family.”

In 2023, Love Columbia helped 22 families relocate outside of Columbia because of the affordable housing shortage. We continue to urge community members to join the Affordable Housing Coalition that seeks to promote more housing.

To learn more about the Affordable Housing Coalition visit: https://lovecolumbia.org/affordable-housing-coalition