Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Unitarians and Catholics in Atlanta have formed a corporation called Interfaith, Inc., to provide better housing for low and moderate-income families.

The idea for the corporation was conceived last December in the Public Issues Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation with the eight charter members.

“We are interested in programs of rental, ownership and cooperative housing projects,” said John Steinichen, a Unitarian layman and president of the board of trustees.

Father Noel C. Burtenshaw, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, commented, “It could revolutionize the idea of supporting federal housing.”

Participating churches to date include the United Presbyterian Christ Church, United Presbyterian Church of the Atonement, St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, United Presbyterian Church of the Master, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, U.S., the Unitarian Universalist Congregation and the archdiocese.

Steinichen said interfaith will primarily act as a sponsor for various housing programs in the city and as a non-profit organization to qualify for financing under federal housing programs.

“There is great need for housing projects in Atlanta and Interfaith is the best way churches can do something effective in slum clearing and housing through combined efforts,” Father Burtenshaw, treasurer, said.

The priest said Interfaith hopes that individual church members will become involved. “Once the housing is built, a big part of the job will be educational and social services which church members can provide.”

Steinichen said Interfaith will apply for federal funding within the next six months under one of the housing programs. He said the trustees have not yet decided which project to undertake.

The president said city housing officials have been very cooperative in working and planning with the new corporation on possible projects.

Steinichen explained that Interfaith is primarily interested in working in northern and eastern sections of the city since most of the concentration of housing for the poor is in southwest Atlanta.

“We feel that we ought to work at dispersal of housing as much as we can. Some areas are already building problems for the future by concentrating housing in one part of the city.”

Membership requirements include a $100 per year from a church, church-related body and an elected trustee.

Steinichen emphasized that no denominational belief would be imposed on tenants.

Persons interested in the program should write P.O. Box 3152.