b'DAYTODAYCHURCH UNITYCOMMUNITYOWNED HOUSING Researchers have uncoveredGAINING IN POPULARITY three alarming trends: (1) Dis Communityowned housing offers an option between marketrate and subsidized trust of institutions, includinggovernment housing to keep homes affordable through fluctuations in the local housing the church, is at an alltime high. (2)market. By separating the cost of a home from the cost of the land it sits on and setting Young people raised in the church arelimits on how much it can appreciate, a trust leaving at huge rates and not returning.(governed by residents and community and (3) Loneliness and social isolation arepublic representatives) raises money from local rampant. Angovernments, philanthropic organizations, indientire genera viduals, and bank loans to buy property(ies).tion, starving for what theThe trust owns the land and establishes limits church is calledon sale prices to ensure affordability, staying to provide, isbelow market rates. The homeowner covers choosing tothe structure and a small ground lease fee. look for it else This approach protects against sudden rent where. In Whatand property tax hikes, and when applied to If Jesus Wasapartment buildings or neighborhood blocks, Serious aboutit can provide stability for people to put down the Church? Aroots and build community.Visual Guide to Becoming the CommunitySubsidized homeownership relies on government money to help a lowincome family Jesus Intended (Moody Publishers), authorpurchase a home below market rate, but it reverts to market rate when they sell, and Skye Jethani uses short readings andthat subsidy disappears. The community housing model especially suits racial minorities, engaging illustrations to review what thethe elderly, and young families. Currently, there are approximately 277 community land Bible says about the church, its purpose,trusts in the U.S., but as the option gains traction, community ownership could become and the impact of consumerism on faitha more common solution for creating affordable housing. communities. Rather than an event, building, or institution, the church should be aSource: Quartz (www.qz.com) body in communion with God and one another for the sake of the world.RETAINING GOOD EMPLOYEES JACOBS STRUGGLES:The MIT Sloan/CultureX team identified the elements of culture that matter most to employees, and they fall into four areas: Meaning, Mobility, Managers and Money. A LESSON FOR US ALL Meaning. Employees expect to be treated with respect and appreciation. They want to Jacob is not a model disciple.know their work enriches their lives, matches their values, and builds their skills.Hes a trickster, liar, and selfishlyAction: Perform an audit of all employees, taking inventory of skills and understanding the ambitious man who fathers chil desires and motivations of the workforce.dren with four women and leads a dysfunctional family. But as the namesake of theMobility. Employees today expect mobility and flexibility. Old Testament community of God, chosenAction: Survey employees to find out their preferences, and then establish accommodations.and blessed, this sinnersaint limps along with the Lord,Managers. Employees expect managers to be responsive, go to bat for them, and offer burdened byencouragement. Being supportive could be the most important trait to increase retention. weakness andAction: Assess the leadership capabilities of managers, including their ethics, empathy, combeset by prob munication skills, engagement, coaching ability, leadership, collaborative mindset, purpose, lems. In his lifedirection, and adaptability.we see our lives, our strug Money. Benefits matter as much as gles, our fail salaries to most employees. Health ures, and mostinsurance, health benefits, retirement especially thebenefits and pensions rise as top motiGod who lovesvators for retention.us and choosesAction: Managers should proactively us as his own.ask employees if they believe their As we explore Jacobs life in Chad Birdscompensation is commensurate with Limping with God: Jacob & the Old Testamenttheir work, and not wait for employees Guide to Messy Discipleship (1517 Publish to ask for a raise. ing), we learn more about ourselves and the God who is with us and for us. Source: HR ExecutiveSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG 57'