Homestretch Homes for the Homeless

publication date: May 22, 2008

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author/source: Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

Homestretch recently opened their renovated houses on Millbrook Court at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Board president Minnie Bowden holds the scissors, as directed by veteran ribbon-cutter Mayor Jere Wood.

“People in Roswell have a difficult time understanding that there are homeless families here,” said Minnie Bowden.

For those who did not know, North Fulton County does indeed have homelessness. And Bowden’s group is doing something about it.

Founded in 1991, Homestretch is a program dedicated to helping the homeless of North Fulton not only find housing but also get their lives back on track by providing temporary housing and life skills training.

The group recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of 10 duplexes on Millbrook Court. Six of those duplexes have been completely renovated, one of which was made accessible for a disabled resident. The renovations have made this project the largest undertaken by the group and Roswell Presbyterian Church, one of the first supporters of Homestretch.

“Homestretch is about rebuilding hope,” said Bowden, the president of the Homestretch board of directors. “It is about renewing the dreams that people had and dreams that have gone by the wayside due to circumstances.”

“People think that if someone is homeless they don’t need to live in a nice place. That’s not true,” said Nancy Coveny, Homestretch’s executive director. “We want to provide quality homes for our families. We want them to feel proud and comfortable and safe living in our homes and know that that’s what they can expect. Most of our properties were rental properties and they weren’t all properly maintained.”

In order to be eligible for the Homestretch program, the applicant must have lived in North Fulton, have a family and have a job. Once the homeless are approved for a home, Homestretch works with the family to work off their debt and eventually get a permanent home, usually through groups such as Habitat For Humanity. Social workers and volunteers work with the family to improve budget skills, career skills and life skills.

According to Coveny, Homestretch is seeing more people come to them who take longer and longer to pay off their debts. She attributed this rise to increased property prices in the area.

At the Millbrook ceremony, Homestretch held a large party for those who had helped with the refurbishment of the buildings. Roswell Mayor Jere Wood and Councilman Jerry Orlans were also in attendance.

Like all charities, Homestretch is always in need of volunteers.


To learn more about Homestretch, visit their website at www.Homestretch.org or call 770-642-9185.