Sarasota, FL: The Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development was honored with three “2007 HUD Best Practices” awards by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Tampa. The awards recognize innovative practices and outstanding community commitment in meeting housing needs. “We are very pleased with these awards,” said City Manager Robert Bartolotta. “The Office of Housing and Community Development is a joint City-

County partnership, and, we’re always looking for collaborative ways to provide service in our community. It’s heartening to know our efforts are being recognized as some of the best practices in the region,” said Bartolotta. Three programs were recognized: homeless prevention; transitional housing assistance; and new home ownership.

Homeless Prevention Program

This successful program is designed to prevent families from becoming homeless because of overdue rents, mortgages, or utilities. During the two years of its existence, the program has assisted 92 households, for a total of 297 people, 163 of whom were children. On average, $1,072 is spent on each family.

The program is funded through the Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development and spearheaded by the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness. By leveraging other community resources the program helps prevent homelessness. Three local agencies -- Catholic Charities, Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Sarasota and the Salvation Army -- provide direct assistance to people in need, including paying for rent, utilities or security deposits.

Through this program, many resources converge to meet the needs of the families in crisis. Clients are provided with life skills training, financial counseling, local food bank assistance and job training/employment assistance. The head of the household is required to participate in counseling sessions to help manage the crisis which caused the homelessness or near homelessness.

Transitional Housing Rental Assistance Program

The Transitional Housing Rental Assistance Program (THRAP) helps people who have successfully completed a drug or alcohol treatment program as they transition back into the community and permanent housing. Through this program, the Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development helps provide housing assistance for one year.

Rental subsidies are paid directly to the landlord. Typically, the amount is about $597 per month for a year. This assistance allows the recovering person to stabilize their life and focus on assimilating back into the community. Many times, THRAP is the only way recovering addicts are able to successfully transition back into affordable housing.

Clients are referred to the Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development by agencies such as First Step of Sarasota, Coastal Recovery Inc., or Salvation Army. To be eligible for the program, the person must have secured a part-time job.

Since THRAP was initiated in 2006, 27 people have been assisted. One person is currently enrolled to participate in the program.

The Partnership Program (Home Ownership)

This program allows people on limited incomes to achieve the dream of homeownership. The Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development works alongside South County Habitat for Humanity, GoodHomes and the Community Land Trust to make these dreams come true. Since 2004, eight very low to low income families have become homeowners through the Partnership Program.

Habitat for Humanity constructed seven houses. One house was rehabilitated, sold and included in the Community Land Trust by GoodHomes of Manasota, Inc. Seven more houses are awaiting completion or sale and will enter the Land Trust soon.

For more information, please contact: Jan Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com