APPLETON, Wis. — Bonnie Nussbaum sees what the largely empty parsonage at Zion Luther Church in Appleton could be in the future.
The mid-century modern building can transformed into affordable housing or another use that not only helps the community but generates needed revenue for the church.
“Housing is a huge issue. When people don’t have stable housing, for kids, education goes downhill. Food insecurity goes up when housing isn’t available. It’s such a huge issue,” she said. “There’s so much property in Appleton that is being developed for luxury apartments. That’s wonderful, but not meeting the need. The biggest need at this point is housing that’s affordable.”
Nussbaum is the project manager for an embryonic project that could see anything from apartments to a small grocery store moving into the church’s existing buildings and vacant areas.
“I started out with I was just going to do an intentional community and now all of a sudden we’ve got affordable housing, and can we meet the needs of those early in recovery?” She said. “What about veterans? Seniors? It’s burgeoning, this project. That’s not a bad thing, I don’t think.”
It’s a project still in very early stages. Nussbaum talked in terms of years for many of the ideas to come to fruition. There’s also the need to make sure the existing buildings are suitable for repurposing.
Either way, the concept caught the attention of The Community Foundation for The Fox Valley Region. It awarded a $25,000 to the church to further explore possibilities.
Jenny Krikava of the foundation said the ideas help fill a need in the community.
“Housing is the number one issue in terms of when we look at community need,” she said. “The health systems, the public health departments, when they’re doing their community needs assessments, housing is topping out at number one.”
The proposal is unlike others they’ve seen.
“It’s a unique approach that we’ve seen and read about in other communities, but it hasn’t happened here yet. That’s what really piqued our interest,” Krikava said. “It’s another option to add to add to the community where we’re really seeing a high need. Everyone deserves access to safe, accessible, housing.”
Nussbaum said the 140-year-old church is working with the surrounding community as it develops plans. What the timeline for any project looks like is still fluid.
She said the project is ultimately about helping both the community and the church through rent and other revenues.
“The introduction I had to the pastor of this church who has since retired, was, ‘We are land rich and cash poor,’” Nussbaum said. “His pitch was why don’t we use some of this land to meet the needs of those who don’t have reasonable housing and also assist the church?”