Local nonprofit raises financial concerns following suspension of AmeriCorps programs

JACKSON, Tenn. — A notable nonprofit is concerned about the suspension of AmeriCorps programs.

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for individuals facing housing insecurity, provides purchase opportunities through restore and offers an “Aging in Place” program.

The Department of Government Efficiency recently suspended AmeriCorps programs, a vital contributor in housing crisis efforts.

“It came as a surprise. We were kind of notified indirectly over the weekend that there might be some funding that’s frozen or funding that is eliminated from institutions like AmeriCorps, and for us, that’s a pretty significant situation because, like many other affiliates across the country, AmeriCorps is such a huge component and key partner with Habitat for Humanity,” said Adam Johnson, CEO for Habitat for Humanity.

The sudden termination affects over 32,000 plus volunteers, 1,000 organizations nationwide, terminates over $400 million grants, paused 750 corps memberships, and 85% of AmeriCorps staff have been dismissed.

We asked how long the suspension would last and it appears to be permanent.

“It’s indefinite so the assumption is that this is no longer accessible at all,” said Johnson.

We spoke with a former family service coordinator with AmeriCorps that was fortunate to receive a full time position with Habitat for Humanity as the Aging in Place director here in the Hub City.

She tells us what this issue means for a lot of residents locally.

“This has taken a toll on a lot of Americans across the United States where a lot of them won’t be able to have jobs — no health insurance or anything. And this also takes away from the Aging in Place program that I am currently over for Habitat for Humanity where we go out into the community to do home repairs for those that’s 60 years or older,” said Shandra McCorkle, Aging in Place director for Habitat for Humanity.

This will directly impact the Aging in Place program that gives home repairs up to $10,000 for those ages 60 and above that was lead by a member of AmeriCorps.

Johnson say it’s going to take major funding to keep essential programs running.

“That’s going to be private dollars. That’s private funding, that’s grassroots, that’s large organizations locally that rally and can help kind of take away that burden and kind of offset the deficit that everyone’s going to feel,” said Johnson.

Habitat for Humanity urges the restoration of crucial services that will have a negative impact on many families. Habitat for Humanity encourages communities to do what they can to be benevolent, thoughtful and ready to stand in the gap so that basic services continue.

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