The Saint of Koinonia

In the face of possible eviction only one day away, recent Fuller Theological Seminary graduate Tawanna Benbow has not given up hope for herself or others remaining without a new home.

Benbow is one of as many as one dozen tenants who face expulsion July 9 from the Koinonia apartment building at 260 North Los Robles Avenue. The apartments were formerly very low cost housing provided by Fuller to its extended theological community.

Fuller sold the apartments to developer Carmel Partners and at the same time changed its policy of housing eligibility to cover only full-time Fuller students (no longer providing for alums, faculty members, staff members and part-time students).

The result? With a July 9 “must vacate” deadline, the complex is still home to a dwindling, desperate but hopeful group of families who have yet to find alternative housing they can affordable or qualify for.

The apartment’s Fuller-given name, Koinonia , is a Greek word used throughout the New Testament which identifies the idealized state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Christian church.

Benbow is so confident in divine provision that she gave away an apartment she had found that fits all her requirements, including a below market price, to another Koinonia refuge who has a son.

“I know mine’s coming. I’m not even worried. There was no reason to hoard. Because she has a son, I’m single, so for me to get a two bedroom would have been greedy,” Benbow said.

Benbow’s friend had been at a loss in her search, saying that with no place to go on Thursday she would resort to “couch surfing.”

The apartment Benbow located and gave to her friend rents for only $140 more than the friend had previously paid, and her friend’s will be close enough to skateboard to school.

“I believe in a God of the eleventh hour and He will answer His children. What has happened has nothing to do with us so He will not leave us or forsake us. All will be well,” Benbow said.

Estimates of just how many people faced expulsion vary. One tenant on site claimed as many as 30 units remain occupied at the Koinonia apartments as of Monday night.

Charity Ngaruiya, a Kenyan who graduated Fuller this past month, is closely watching the quickly approaching deadline.

“I had a place; I put in a deposit two weeks ago with my application. Today they called me and told me I don’t have a credit history or a rental history so I can’t rent it,” Ngaruiya said.

A friend of Ngaruiya’s will let her stay as a last resort on Thursday. She is waiting for her work permit but has enough money saved for five months rent and a family at home who is willing to support her.

Juliana Serrano of All Saints Church weighed in on the situation.

“It’s certainly an indication of what kind of the crisis we are having in Pasadena when it comes to finding affordable housing opportunities for families and single persons,” Serrano said. “This is why there are so many people nowadays who are living with family members or sharing homes with other families.”

Serrano said she knew many people who would love to live in Pasadena because they work, go to church, attend school or do business in Pasadena, but cannot span the income gap of those who can afford to live in the city. Serrano appealed to landlords.

“If landlords would be open to even making at least one unit available in their building, an affordable housing unit or Section 8 housing pledge, we could make a bigger dent to help the housing crisis. That is something that can be done,” Serrano said.

David Reyes, Deputy Director for the City’s planning department, offered two resources—a website created by the city that lists housing in the area, www.PasadenaHousingSearch.com and the housing rights center, which offers free telephone counseling about tenant and landlord rights.

“We do want to help where we can and our housing department is geared up to help wherever we can,” Reyes said.

Director of Friends In Deed Rev. Dr. Donna Byrns also extends a hand of help to any tenants in need of extra assistance.

“Our Food Pantry and The Women’s Room stands ready to support them,” Byrns said, then asked, “Has anyone approached Carmel Partners for assistance? It would certainly be good PR for them.”