Catholic Health East : Best Practices

RHC: St. Joseph of the Pines, Pinehurst, NC

Contact: Susan Melton

Title: Assistant Vice President

E-mail:
Fax:
Phone: 910.692.2212

Description of the Best Practice:

First opened in 1995, Providence Place is a network of affordable housing complexes intended to provide a safe and secure living environment for physically able yet economically underprivileged senior adults, 62 years of age or older.

Implementation & Time Frame

Providence Place, whose construction was funded through grants received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, consists of four separate corporations all managed, staffed, and maintained by St. Joseph of the Pines. The affordable housing complexes offer internal and external entrances to all apartments and access to all-purpose activity rooms, libraries, laundry rooms, and onsite mailboxes. Each apartment has a full kitchen, living and dining rooms, bedroom, bathroom, telephone and cable television outlets, and an emergency pull cord system. All apartments are wheelchair accessible, and some have specially designed fixtures for hearing-impaired residents. Providence Place I and II are located adjacent to each other in Aberdeen, NC, and together provide 48 single-bedroom apartments for residents meeting the income eligibility requirements as set by HUD. Providence Place III and IV, located in Red Springs, NC, and providing 76 units, have just recently begun accepting applications for residences.

Financial Profile

St. Joseph of the Pines received grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund the construction of all four Providence Place corporations. The estimated annual cost to St. Joseph of the Pines for support is approximately $40,000 in capital investments, $30,000 per year in salaries over and above the amount reimbursed by HUD, and additional expenses for accounting and financial oversight of the complexes. Additionally, St. Joseph of the Pines has maintained strong community relations, placing Providence Place in a position to take advantage of assistance from count and municipal governments as well as from private citizens. Donations of clothing, books, videos, games, puzzles, and activity supplies have been received on an ongoing basis.

Outcome

Providence Place criteria for acceptance are strict and occupancy levels have remained high indicating that the program has identified an audience in need of these services. A recent Management Review by HUD of the Aberdeen complexes stated that the physical appearance and the units to be excellent. Residents who lived alone for extended periods then moved to Providence Place, begin to form friendships with other residents after short periods of time, fostering the belief that they belong to a community of peers who enjoy their company and will help look after them in times of need.

Best Practice Narrative is limited to a one page summary.
Supporting data is limited to one page.