FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2004

What: Ceremony to recognize two county-supported programs that recently have completed duplexes to house persons with mental illness (HDC and Renaissance Manor supportive housing projects).

When/Where: TODAY (April 6), 11:30 AM, County Courthouse, 1st floor lobby.

Master of Ceremonies: Commissioner Bob Janes

Attending: Entities involved including Lee County Board of County Commissioners, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Florida State Housing Initiatives Program, Lee County Housing Development Corporation, and Renaissance Manor.

Below are write-ups of the two projects:

LEE COUNTY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECT

The Board of Directors and staff of the Lee County Housing Development Corporation (LCHDC) made the commitment to provide affordable rental housing to persons with disabilities in late 2002. This commitment enabled the LCHDC to apply to Lee County Department of Human Services for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and to Lee County Department of Community Development Planning Division for State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to acquire a property to provide housing for persons with a chronic mental illness.

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners awarded $200,000 of CDBG and SHIP funds to the Lee County Housing Development Corporation. In the spring of 2003, a search for suitable property revealed that property values in Cape Coral increased drastically since the proposal was submitted. The LCHDC negotiated a purchase price of $210,000 with A.V.S. Construction of Cape Coral, Inc. to purchase a newly constructed 3-bedroom 2-bath duplex. An additional $10,000 in SHIP funding was provided to complete the purchase and the closing on the property took place in June 2003.

The first tenants moved into the duplex in late 2003. The duplex enables six individuals with a chronic mental illness to live in a supportive community setting. Rent is approximately $300 per individual per month and includes utilities. Tenants receive support services through the Ruth Cooper Center for Behavioral Health Care, Inc. and some tenants are participants in the Twentieth Judicial Mental Health Court Program.

The Lee County Housing Development Corporation would like to thank the following individuals for making this supportive housing project a success:

· Lee County Board of County Commissioners for being responsive to the needs of our community by providing funding for this special project.

· Board of Directors of Lee County Housing Development Corporation who had the vision to respond to this community need and expand the its focus solely from the provision of affordable owner occupied housing to include the provision of affordable rental housing to persons with disabilities.

· Karen Erickson of Ruth Cooper Center for Behavioral Health Care, Inc. for her assistance with the grant application and ongoing support for the project.

· Board of Directors at Ruth Cooper Center for Behavioral Health Care, Inc. for agreeing to partner with the LCHDC to provide support services for the tenants.

· Lee County Administration--Donald D. Stilwell, William H. Hammond, Holly Schwartz and Pete Winton for their assistance on this project.

· Karen Hawes, Ann Arnall and the staff of Lee County Department of Human Services for their assistance with this project.

· Mary Gibbs, Paul O'Connor, Gloria Sajgo and staff of Lee County Department of Community Development for their assistance with this project.

· A.V.S. Construction, Sergei and Natalia Korienko, who agreed to take less than market value for the property, installed all window coverings and appliances, including washers and dryers, paid all assessments in full, installed a sprinkler system, and generously gave the LCHDC a cash donation at closing that helped pay for part of the furnishings.

· Bean, Whitaker, Lutz, and Kareh, Inc. for their generous donation.

· Cost Cutters in N. Ft. Myers for their generous donation.

· Factory Outlet Stores of Cape Coral for their generous donation.

· Lott and Gaylor Insurance Agency for their generous donation.

· O.N.E. Construction for their generous donation.

RENAISSANCE MANOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECT

In 1999, Renaissance Manor, Inc. was founded as a not-for-profit corporation to provide housing for individuals with a mental illness. At that time, Renaissance began operating a 38-bed assisted living facility in Sarasota, which primarily serves persons with a mental illness. The agency's philosophy is to collaborate with others to deliver the most comprehensive, cost effective services possible. As a result, Renaissance has built successful collaborative relationships with other not-for-profit organizations and local governments. Today Renaissance provides supportive, affordable housing to over 200 individuals in Lee and Sarasota Counties.

In 2001, Renaissance embarked on a campaign to raise money to provide affordable supportive housing in Lee County. For this purpose, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners awarded $383,583 of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds, $317,412 of HOME funds, and $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The agency was also awarded $568,929 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Supportive Housing and Shelter Plus Care programs, which are part of the Lee County Homeless Continuum of Care, and $28,342 from the State of Florida Challenge Grant. This funding allowed Renaissance Manor, Inc. to construct and operate supportive housing for persons with a mental illness and their families. The agency also provides support services and rental subsidy to low-income tenants.

Phase one construction consisted of three duplexes and was completed February 2004. These duplexes provide housing and support services for nine individuals with a chronic mental illness, some of whom were formerly homeless. Support services are provided by community mental health treatment facilities. Some tenants are participants in the Twentieth Judicial Mental Health Court Program.

Construction on phase two of the project is planned to begin soon and will provide housing for 12 more low-income individuals with a chronic mental illness.

Renaissance Manor would like to thank the following individuals for making this supportive housing project a success:

· Lee County Board of County Commissioners

· United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, specifically Ron Muscarella, Community Planning and Development Representative, Miami Field Office

· Renaissance Manor's Board of Directors

· Lee County Administration-Donald D. Stilwell, William H. Hammond, Holly Schwartz and Pete Winton

· Mary Gibbs, Gloria Sajgo, Susan Strum and Antia Richards of Lee County Department of Community Development

· Karen Hawes, Ann Arnall and the staff of Lee County Department of Human Services

· Taylor-Pansing, Inc., specifically Keith Taylor, Steve Pansing, Colleen Pansing and Raul Rodriguez

· Saint Columbkille Catholic Church

· Scott Bartels, Florida Alternative Building Systems, Inc.

· Bob Scott

· Joe Licata

Also, thanks to:

Affordable Housing Committee

John Albion, Dottie Cook, Leo Cooper, Pauline Farren,

Walter Ferguson, Dalila Leguizamon, Rene Miville, Jane Parker,

Richard Sapp, Dennis Simon, Marsha Stachler

Community Action Agency/Neighborhood District Committee

Richard Dunmire, James Gillespie, Dan Moser, John Mozzicato, Seymour Roche, Virginia Rosado, Nettie Roundtree, Richard Sapp, Judy Workman.