Friday, March 14, 2008

Miami, March 13, 2008 — The YMCA of Greater Miami in partnership with Biscayne Housing Group, Carlisle Development Group and Miami-Dade County, held the official groundbreaking ceremony of Village Allapattah, on Thursday, March 13 at 10:00 am. The project is located at 2370 NW 17 Avenue in Miami, FL.

Village Allapattah is a unique mixed use public/private partnership creating 200 affordable housing units for families and seniors, along with a 10,000 SF YMCA child care center and 17,000 SF YMCA wellness and fitness center. One, two and three bedroom apartments with rents affordable to families an individuals earning between 33% and 60 % of the area median income will be available in the summer of 2009.

The concept of a YMCA combined with affordable housing is the first of its kind which sets the pace for other Y's nationally. This combination meets the community's need for affordable housing and the services a traditional YMCA offers: child care, wellness, and exercise and fitness programs. This unique venture sprung from the tremendous demand for affordable housing within the Miami-Dade market. The development will provide an environment conducive to building intergenerational connections, and providing residents with the additional support and amenities of automatic YMCA membership.

This is the first in a series of projects, bringing together the unique strengths and long history of the YMCA, with the expertise of Carlisle Development Group and Biscayne Housing Group to address the critical need for affordable housing in our community.

"The YMCA Village Allapattah project is a first-of-its-kind partnership between a Y and affordable housing developers. This will serve as an innovative national model for YMCAs to continue addressing critical community needs. Village Allapattah will connect generations, build healthy kids and families, and support a strong community."

- Alfred Sanchez, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Miami
“I am pleased that Miami-Dade County is able to assist Village Allapattah with $6.7 million in SURTAX financing and I look forward to next summer when both the Y and Village Allapattah will be complete.”

- Commissioner Audrey Edmondson, Miami-Dade County, District 3
"We are here today to celebrate the development of 200 units of housing for seniors and families and a brand new YMCA facility for this community. These features combine to create what a lot of people are call the best new affordable housing project in the nation."

- Michael Cox, Principal, Biscayne Housing Group
"Developments such as this are living, breathing entities and a great of time and energy is required to bring them into the world. We are proud to be working with the YMCA, Biscayne Housing Group and The Carrie Meek Foundation to address the critical need for affordable housing in our community."

- Matt Greer, CEO, Carlisle Development Group
“The Carrie Meek Foundation is pleased to be working with the partners in this project as we expand our Soul Lives in The City Campaign, aimed as raising awareness among area residents about the many new affordable housing projects being built over the next 24 months. Enough has been said about the need for affordable housing, we are proud to be working on the solutions.”

- Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek (Ret.), President and Chair, The Carrie Meek Foundation
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Allapattah Village Features: Community clubhouse/community center; library; Domino Court Park and exercise room with equipment

* Resident programs such as Life Safety Training and assistance with housekeeping, grocery Mshopping and/or laundry
* Game room and playground
* Programs focusing on Job Training and Homebuyer Education
* Special amenities specific to the elderly demographic, including
    o Roll-in-showers with horizontal grab bars
    o 36” entrances on all exterior doors
    o Tight-napped Berber-type carpet and marble window sills are featured in individual units
    o 27,000 square foot onsite YMCA
        • child care center
        • wellness and fitness center

Village Allapattah has excellent proximity to public transportation and highways. A metro rail center is located less than half a mile away. The SR 112 Expressway is also less than a half a mile away, with short connections to SR 836, I-395, I-195 and I-95. This provides excellent access for the residents to all directions in the county.

About the YMCA of Greater Miami: Founded in 1916, the YMCA of Greater of Miami is one of South Florida’s oldest and largest not-for-profit organizations. With branches throughout Miami-Dade and upper Monroe County, the Y is committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Its scope of services includes youth sports, aquatics, after-school, preschool and child care, summer camp, teen clubs and health and fitness programs. For more information about the YMCA of Greater Miami, call toll free 1-877-WOW-YMCA.

About Carlisle Development Group: Founded in 1998, Carlisle Development Group develops and manages affordable housing that strengthens families and communities. We know that a good home can help working families save for the future, give children a safe place to study and play, and improve the quality of life for our older citizens. We also know that for many families, access to high quality housing is only a dream. At Carlisle Development Group, we believe it is our mission to help communities find ways to make that dream a reality.

About Biscayne Housing Group: Biscayne Housing Group (BHG) is a Miami-based affordable housing development company founded in 2004 by Gonzalo DeRamon and Michael Cox. BHG builds affordable residences for families, the elderly, children aging out of foster care and the formerly homeless. The company is known for innovative developments that include unprecedented levels of community involvement and benefit. BHG refers to its development strategy as “deep community development”, which means integrating developments into the fabric of the local community by linking with local residents, nonprofit organizations or religious based organizations. BHG’s goal is to strengthen communities through its development practices.

About The Carrie Meek Foundation: Upon the retirement of Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek from elected office in 2003, The Carrie Meek Foundation began operation to carry on the work she has been so intricately involved in for more than 40 years. Today, The Foundation is engaged in affordable housing, economic development, educational development and community health initiatives as we endeavor to be what the Congresswoman has always been, “The Tie That Binds A Community In Need.”
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The Carrie Meek Foundation, Inc.
Miami, FL
305-953-0525 Phone
info@CarrieMeekFoundation.org