Ability Housing

Hop Aboard the Smile Express

The Duval County Health Department’s mobile dental clinic came to Mayfair Village Apartments on December 21st. Twenty-three children at Mayfair were able to see a dentist thanks to the Smile Express!

100 Homes Jacksonville

Ability Housing is a participating partner in 100 Homes Jacksonville, a local initiative to house 100 of the city’s most vulnerable homeless citizens. This action is a project of 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national initiative to house the nation’s most chronically homeless and vulnerable citizens by 2013.

Jacksonville has joined the effort through a commitment to house 100 of the First Coast’s homeless citizens. 100 Homes Jacksonville is a collaborative effort between concerned citizens, non-profit organizations, community businesses, and government entities to house the most vulnerable of the homeless population.

This solution not only saves the lives of 100 vulnerable at-risk citizens, it also saves the public millions of dollars in resources every year.

Come join us at the 100 Homes Jax Community Conversation on Friday, November 18th from 1 – 3 p.m. at the AT&T Auditorium ( 301 W. Bay St., Jacksonville, FL 32202). Be a part of the solution!

For more information, visit the 100 Homes Jax website or the 100 Homes Jax Facebook page.

 

Ability Housing and River Region Partner to Administer HOPWA Grant

River Region Human Services, Inc. (RRHS) is awarded a 2011 HOPWA competitive Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) grant in the amount of $1,353,743 to provide tenant based rental assistance and supportive services for 40 households headed by homeless persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Jacksonville, FL metropolitan area. The Forging Useful Systems to Empower (FUSE) project will provide service coordination for clients through a RRHS partnership with Ability Housing of Northeast
Florida, Inc., in providing housing assistance in coordination with rehabilitative services and health impact assessments. The project will develop a community model for an Integrated HIV/AIDS Housing Plan for Northeast Florida by coordination of HOPWA, Ryan White, and other sources of funding for housing and services for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

For more information contact:

Dr. Paul Yarish, RRHS Chief Information Officer
2055 Reyko Road Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-899-6380    Email: pyarish@rrhs.org

Mayfair Village: Permanent Housing for Our Community’s Most At-Risk PersonsAbility Housing is excited to announce that the substantial rehabilitation of Mayfair Village Apartments is complete!  We closed on the permanent financing in early October 2010 and rehabilitation started right away.  With this project we are bringing millions of dollars into our economy, creating or preserving an estimated 200 jobs and providing an overall economic impact of over $13million.

The rehabilitation includes addressing structural concerns, a complete upgrade of all mechanicals, façade improvements and a new clubhouse. Through these efforts, Ability Housing is providing the most essential element of success for anyone a safe, stable place to live.  Of Mayfair’s 83 units, 42 will be targeted specifically to homeless individuals and families; providing each household with a place of their own to call home.

“This last year has brought me and my family a series of unanticipated challenges, from losing my business to losing a loved one? Ability Housing has given my children and I a new lease on life and hope for the future. I feel confident now that I can get back on my feet. Thank you so much for this!” – Mayfair Village Resident

Home Depot Foundation

Through its Community Impact Grants Program, The Home Depot^® Foundation was awarded $ 2,500 to Ability Housing of Northeast Florida, Inc.  The donation will be used for repairs to Ability Housing’s CASA homes. The CASA Program provides quality, affordable, rental housing for adults with a disability. It consists of 29 single-family homes scattered throughout the community, in neighborhoods of the residents’ choosing.

“We needed building supplies to repair a number of homes in our CASA program. Employees of Coldwell-Banker have agreed to volunteer their time to fix up these houses but we did not have the funds for the materials,” said Shannon Nazworth, Executive Director for Ability Housing.  “We were delighted to receive a $2,500 gift card from The Home Depot Foundation – our volunteers are so happy to get the supplies they need!”

The Home Depot Foundation’s Community Impact Grants Program supports the work that local nonprofit organizations, public schools and other community organizations are doing to improve the physical health of their neighborhoods.

“We are delighted to support local volunteer projects aimed at creating and maintaining stable and healthy communities,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation.  “Ability Housing deserves enormous credit for the work it is doing, and we are glad to be part of their efforts.”

Ability Housing Board Elects New Members and Officers
The Ability Housing Board of Directors has elected John D. Osgathorpe as its President, Gregory E. Matovina as its Vice President – Greg currently serves as Board Treasurer – and Karen S. Holley as its Board Secretary. Gray S. Edwards of Edwards Engineering, Inc. has also joined the Board. Welcome, Gray!