Community Dedicated To Providing Place Homeless Can Call Home

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — At a time when residents are finding it harder to obtain affordable housing, St. Vincent de Paul CARES of St. Petersburg is stepping up to offer a tangible solution.

Residents, some of whom were recently homeless, joined Pasco County officials, St. Vincent de Paul CARES CEO Michael Raposa and the Very Rev. Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Catholic Diosese of St. Petersburg in celebrating the opening of the third phase of a place they can finally call home.

The third phase of the Ozanam Village apartment complex at 7770 Ozanam Way, New Port Richey, officially opened May 25, providing an additional 15 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom affordable homes, bringing the total number of units to 99.

The housing project is named for Frederic Ozanam, the patron saint of St. Vincent de Paul and founder of the charitable organization Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

"In the spirit of our founder, Frederic Ozanam, this project provides stable housing and support for those with special needs, including those with disabilities or requiring independent living services," Raposa said. "St. Vincent de Paul CARES is committed to bringing about an end to homelessness through projects like this, with more planned for the future."

Since the first phase of Ozanam opened in 2018, Raposa said SVdP CARES hasn't been able to build apartments quick enough to meet the area's needs.

"We only charge 30 percent of their income so, if they're only making $900 a month, we only charge $300," Raposa said.

Project partners include the Florida Housing Finance Corp., NDC Asset Management, Bradley Construction and Ability Housing.

"We are so proud to have partnered with SVdP CARES on this project. Ozanam Village Ill will be a wonderful home for some of our most vulnerable neighbors," said Ability Housing President and CEO Shannon Nazworth. "Ability Housing is glad it was able to step in and assist with bringing this vision to reality."

St. Vincent de Paul CARES is a nonprofit organization committed to ending homelessness. The organization serves 16 counties across 7,678 square miles in Florida, breaking down barriers to permanent housing for all people no matter their employment or credit history, mental health, criminal background, religion, race, age or gender identity.

With an 83 percent success rate, SVdP CARES works to rapidly house those experiencing homelessness within 30 days and connect them with support services to assist whatever special needs they may have.

"We are excited to provide permanent housing for those who need a little extra care including those with physical and mental disabilities, victims of domestic abuse, individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, or those who have aged out of foster care," said Mary Burn, St. Vincent de Paul CARES communications and donor relations manager.

About 80 percent of the units are rented to people with special needs and physical challenges, young adults formerly in foster care, survivors of domestic violence or individuals receiving Social Security or veterans disability benefits.

Among those attending the ribbon-cutting celebration were New Port Richey Mayor Rob Marlowe, Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick and representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

"My team was proud to join St. Vincent de Paul CARES as they celebrated phase three of their permanent housing project in New Port Richey, Ozanam Village III," Bilirakis said. "I commend CEO Michael Raposa and his team for their commitment to end homelessness.