A blessing in Port Charlotte is blessed

Bishop Dewane blesses apartments for affordable

Bishop Frank J. Dewane gives a blessing Oct. 29 of the new Marian Manor apartment building for low-income residents in Port Charlotte, which is run by Catholic Charities. The 31-unit building has seven units set aside for mothers with infants who are transitioning from homeless shelters. The 12-year project was done in cooperation with local housing authorities and the Charlotte County Commission.

BOB REDDY | FC
Bishop Frank J. Dewane gives a blessing Oct. 29 of the new Marian Manor apartment building for low-income residents in Port Charlotte, which is run by Catholic Charities. The 31-unit building has seven units set aside for mothers with infants who are transitioning from homeless shelters. The 12-year project was done in cooperation with local housing authorities and the Charlotte County Commission.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Posted: 11.04.09

PORT CHARLOTTE | For nearly 12 years, the Marian Manor project has been in the planning and building stage. On Oct. 29, the long wait was over and the apartments built for low-income families were officially opened with a blessing from Bishop Frank J. Dewane.

“This building stands as a testament to the commitment of so many people who strive to make a difference in the lives of those in need,” Bishop Dewane said during a ceremony, which included the official ribbon-cutting. “The human dignity of this project cannot be measured. People will be provided a key in their pockets and a roof over their heads because everyone has a right to decent housing.”

Marian Manor is a 31-unit apartment complex featuring two bedrooms and one bath for each residence. Seven units are designed for mothers with infants transitioning from homeless shelters, and 24 units are for entry-level workforce families. There two-story, sea foam green building also has a large fenced-in playground for children.

“With the downturn in the economy, this apartment complex will be well received by struggling, working families who are in need of safe and affordable housing,” said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

Catholic Charities Housing Board Chairman Jack Martin said the project is now a valuable part of the community and fills the need of affordable housing for families, where previously there was a big gap.

The effort to start filling Marian Manor will begin immediately, with people applying through the various housing authorities in Charlotte County.

The ceremony was attended by about 100 people from a variety of organizations that participated in developing the $6.1 million HUD HOME program including: Diocese of Venice, Catholic Charities Housing, Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte County Housing Finance Authority, Bank of America, Charlotte County School District, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Homeless Coalition of Charlotte County, Housing Corporation of Charlotte County, Punta Gorda Housing Authority, and Raymond James and Associates.

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