Catholic Charities Housing

Complex for low-income families opens with blessing ceremony

 

Sarasota—A housing complex, owned and developed by Catholic Charities Housing Sarasota, Inc., that is designated for low-income families officially opened with a Ribbon Cutting and Blessing Ceremony on November 21. The event happened at the facility called St. Dominic Manor.

 

Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice officiated the ceremony.  The children who attend St. Martha's Early Learning Center of Catholic Charities led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance and entertained with several uplifting songs.

 

St. Dominic Manor has six duplex buildings featuring 12 units. The housing complex is a project of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a federal program established for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment by redeveloping residential properties. The purchase and renovation costs of the facility are $1.3 million.

 

“Catholic Charities Housing Sarasota, Inc. is delighted to completely renovate this dilapidated building,” said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, president of organization. “It will improve not only the neighborhood but the lives of those who live in this Sarasota community,” he said. “There is a real commitment from Bishop Frank Dewane to ensure that quality, safe and affordable housing is available for those who need it. It is part of our goal to preserve human dignity for all.”

 

Energy efficient “green” standards were incorporated into the rehabilitation of St. Dominic Manor including windows, insulation, roofs, appliances, hot water heaters, ceiling fans, air conditioning units, paint, and lighting along with Florida friendly landscaping. The housing complex was updated to meet hurricane resistant codes, and includes safety features with fencing and illuminated parking. All hazardous materials were removed from the existing buildings.

 

The Neighborhood Stimulus Group, Inc. is the consulting firm for the project. Anderson and Ellis, Inc. is the general contractor and NDC Real Estate Management, Inc. will manage the property.

 

Photo: The children who attend St. Martha's Early Learning Center of Catholic Charities led those in attendance of the Ribbon Cutting and Blessing Ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance and entertained with songs.