Catholic Charities Providing help. Creating hope.

New Housing Counseling Program advocates for the poor and homeless of DeSoto County 

By Judy Bokorney
Web Site Editor

Arcadia—Low-income housing may be hard to find in DeSoto County but settling for a dilapidated and unsafe trailer is not necessary, according to new Catholic Charities Housing Counselor Cristy Villate. There are other options.

Unfortunately the poor are often the target of exploitation because of a lack of experience or education when it comes to home buying or renting, said Villate. “My job is to support clients and guide them through the process of renting or purchasing a home along with showing them all the different choices and opportunities out there,” she said.

Last year’s hurricane season exasperated the shortage of affordable housing and more needy individuals and families have come to Catholic Charities seeking help to find a place to live. “Thanks to a grant from Catholic Charities USA, we were able to hire Cristy to run a housing counseling program,” said Sister Ann DeNicolo, director of Catholic Charities of DeSoto County. “She will counsel and help families as they strive to resettle after last summer’s devastations.”

Villate will educate clients in home ownership, rental housing, banking and personal finance management, and predatory lending. She will assist clients with completion of documentation for loan applications and mortgages, letter writing, credit referral and correction, and English/Spanish translations. She will act as an advocate.

“We need to support and encourage the low-wage earners of our community,” Villate said. “Our local economy depends on them. If we help them to purchase homes instead of renting or buying dangerous used trailers, the county as a whole will benefit as the value of property will increase.”

A modular home is being built in Arcadia to demonstrate to the community a viable alternative. St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota and their Outreach Committee is funding the house. When construction is completed, Villate will give clients a tour to show them first hand a secure and economical option for home purchasing.

While living in Miami, Villate became homeless herself in August of 1992 during Hurricane Andrew. “I had to live in my car for a month,” she said. “As a victim, the trauma you feel from a hurricane is long term. You lose your courage and self-esteem to talk to landlords or buy a home. I want to help people overcome those feelings and get their life back on track. 

Villate said most importantly she would not let clients get involved into any housing situation that will take advantage of them. She recently helped one woman get her hard-earned money back on a purchase of a used, run-down trailer.

“When people come to Catholic Charities they are already in a crisis. They do not need others taking advantage of them,” Villate said.

For more information about the new Housing Counseling Program, please call Catholic Charities of DeSoto County at 863-494-1068.

Photo: Housing Counselor Cristy Villate stands on the construction lot of a new modular home being built in Arcadia. As part of the new Housing Counseling Program at Catholic Charities, Villate will show clients the home as a safe and affordable home buying option to used trailers.