Rev. Mary Downey, The Hope Partnership, and Housing-First Approaches to Homelessness.

In this episode of the Healing Theology Podcast, host Alejandra Salemi speaks with Reverend Mary Lee Downey, CEO of Hope Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing homelessness and poverty in Central Florida. Reverend Downey shares her personal journey, including her childhood experiences with housing insecurity and how they shaped her commitment to social justice. The conversation explores the intersection of public health, housing policy, and faith, emphasizing the importance of moving from “mercy ministries” (immediate relief, like providing meals) to “justice ministries” (systemic change, like housing policy reform).

Reverend Downey highlights the unique challenges faced by Central Florida due to its tourism-dependent economy, the lack of affordable housing, and systemic barriers to addressing homelessness effect ...