Sycamore Community FAQs

Our Sycamore Community Vision is to develop housing that supports a diversity of age, income, and ability integrated with a hub of services, programs, and enterprises that attracts a broad range of individuals and families.

The Need

As people journey through and want to leave poverty behind, they often experience roadblocks. Some of the barriers are similar for a lot of people and we call these systemic barriers. Over the past few years, we’ve noticed transportation is a regular struggle. Childcare is a challenge for many, though is now more accessible in Sauk Prairie. Also, sometimes the benefits that businesses offer don’t match the needs of those who are experiencing poverty. Another barrier we continue to run up against is housing.

We get a front row seat to this challenge.

Four specific families in our Encompass Program, who are working their way out of poverty, are increasing their income, paying down debt, and adjusting their budget, goals, and career path. Each family reached a point where their income increased enough that they no longer qualified for the subsidized housing they were in where they pay 1/3 of their income up to a capped amount. These four families got kicked out of their housing program, because they were making too much money, and couldn’t find affordable housing in Sauk Prairie. They were forced to move to a neighboring community and a new school district which disrupted their family’s connections, community, routines, and more.

If we’re desiring FINANCIAL STABILITY in our community, then our community must support HOUSING STABILITY across the entire continuum of housing. If we don’t have safe, accessible, available, affordable housing at every level, we won’t have a stable housing pathway in our community.

The Sycamore Community Concept

Reimagining how we live, work, and play together.

6:8 has held dozens of listening sessions attended by hundreds of community members. Based on what we learned and the resources currently available, we believe we can best serve our community’s needs if we work toward the following in one neighborhood:

Affordable housing and support resources for the lower end of the housing continuum – our top priority.
Spaces for community and agency partners.
A workshop and makerspace with shared tools and resources.
The 6:8 Cafe that promotes employment and job training.
Resources to support the long-term success of families in need, including youth and senior programming, mental health services, job training, education, spiritual support, laundry services, and social networks.

Sycamore Community FAQs

1. Where does the name 6:8 come from?

The name “6:8” was inspired by four verses in the Bible that guide our mission:
- Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
- Here I am, Lord. Send me. (Isaiah 6:8)
- Take nothing extra for the journey. (Mark 6:8)
- With food and clothing, we are content. (1 Timothy 6:8)

2. Do you welcome and serve all people regardless of their religious beliefs?

Yes! Serving and involving all people is a core tenet of ours. Our full Faith Statement is as follows: 6:8 is a Christian organization, inspired by the Life and Love of Jesus Christ. 6:8 believes it is most important to invest in people. We prioritize relationships and believe this is the starting point for service, for charity, for transformation. 6:8 seeks to transform communities with Jesus Christ by Making Service Personal and helping individuals discover and share their gifts with our community. We welcome and serve all people regardless of their religious beliefs.

3. This feels like a big goal. Are you concerned about 6:8 growing too big, too fast? How is this going to be sustainable?

As an extension of our existing programming, 6:8 will expand or add new programs as staff, volunteers, funding, and space allow.
6:8 is already expanding staff and volunteer capacity. We currently have ten staff and are planning for additional staff. We have formalized a succession plan to ensure continuity should there be an unexpected transition of staff or leadership.
The vision of the Sycamore Community is larger than 6:8. It will be accomplished through partnerships and collaboration with other businesses and organizations.

4. What will draw people who can afford market rate to live at the Sycamore Community?

As we reimagine the way we live together, we are creating a space that welcomes a diversity of income, age, and ability. The design and layout of the homes and apartments encourages connections with neighbors through indoor and outdoor gathering spaces to build desired community.
Proximity to community resources is a priority and the Sycamore Community will offer a variety of amenities such as a café, community spaces, and more.

5. Will this type of low-income housing increase crime in the area?

Positive community identity and proximity of neighbors will provide accountability naturally based on the community-centric design of the housing. Onsite management will rapidly respond to challenges as neighbors hold each other to a higher standard.
In addition, residents of the subsidized housing will participate in our Encompass Program, offering additional layers of accountability and support.

6. How is 6:8 serving the homeless in Sauk Prairie?

We are working with partners in the area to address needs as they arise.
We have around 40 families who are experiencing homelessness in the Sauk Prairie School District. In addition, Pathway Home has a waiting list of people in Sauk County.
Pathway Home is not a drop-in shelter. While the shelter is an emergency shelter, it requires an application and pre-screening before people are housed. The shelter will not accept violent criminals or sex offenders.
The shelter model allows for up to 89 days of shelter with a case manager to support a individual/family’s work toward rehousing. Pathway Home is very much in line with 6:8’s mission to help families grow toward stability.

7. How will this project impact property taxes for our schools and community?

From what we have learned from our local tax consultant the Sycamore Community will add to tax revenue in the area and not deduct from property or sales taxes collected.
Many of the planned programs with the Sycamore Community will be subject to property and sales tax.
In addition, as everyone in our community participates more fully in the workforce and overall economy, property values and tax revenue in a general sense will increase, not decrease, over time.

8. Will this compete with other housing projects?

As we desire financial stability in our community, our community must support housing stability across the entire continuum of housing, including shelter, subsidized, low-income, workforce/affordable, market rate and luxury. If we have safe, accessible, available housing at every level, we have a stable housing pathway in our community.
6:8’s housing plan complements other existing housing developments. The Sycamore Community offers a unique opportunity for subsidized housing on a sliding scale.
Unlike other projects, this plan also offers wrap-around programmatic support to help increase financial stability of subsidized tenants and decrease loneliness and isolation for all residents.

9. How will Sycamore Community housing be managed?

The Sycamore Community plans to manage the housing with paid staff who are employed by 6:8. Newly hired staff will be experienced in the field of housing management and will embrace 6:8 culture.
We will build single and multi-family houses and apartments in the Sycamore Community. Half will be available to those at or below 80% of the median income for Sauk County (those living in poverty), subsidized on a sliding scale where residents pay 30% of their income towards housing. As a resident’s income increases, their rent will rise proportionally until they are at market rate at which time they can stay in their housing if they choose – creating housing stability as they reach financial stability.
The second half of the units will be market rate, allowing the housing component of the Sycamore Community to be financially self-sustaining once it is built. As units become available, we will maintain a ratio of market rate versus subsidized at 50% each.

10. Are you pursuing federal or state grants for this project?

Yes, and in that process, we are being selective to apply for grants that do not restrict our programming strategy or Christian values. Our poverty alleviation philosophy honors the inherent dignity, and encourages increased capacity, of each person. Therefore, our plan requires participation in our poverty alleviation programming for those who participate in our subsidized housing program, which disqualifies us from receiving many federal or state grants.

11. Where are you getting the data and information about changes in our economy and effects of isolation?

Data and information related to poverty, housing, childcare and economic factors that we rely on comes from reputable sources listed below:

As our plans continue to develop, stay tuned for future Listening Sessions.

Google Sites

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