LSF to Build Apostles Village

with Brandon Congregation

Housing for Low-Income Elderly

(Tampa, January 9, 2006)  Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) announced today that it recently received a $5.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build affordable, subsidized housing for low-income elderly people in Hillsborough County. 

LSF will use the grant, in collaboration with Apostles Lutheran Church in Brandon, to build “Apostles Village,” a 53-unit apartment complex on property located adjacent to the Church and near an existing community center with extensive support services for senior citizens.  Additionally, plans for “Apostles Village” include assisting residents with other necessary services such as homemaker, respite, adult day care, and transportation, as well as social activities, and home-delivered meals.  The goal is to help the residents live and age with dignity. 

“We know there is a pressing need to provide affordable housing for our low-income elderly population and we believe we can best fill this need by forming coalitions with other faith-based and community organizations such as Apostles Lutheran Church,” said Jim Wells, LSF President and CEO.  “We are looking forward to working with Lutheran Services Florida to provide homes for our community’s elderly citizens,” said The Rev. Handlee Vige, Pastor of Apostles Lutheran Church.

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is a statewide, non-profit, human care agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age, or national origin.  Since the LSF Refugee Resettlement Program began nearly 25 years ago, over 200,000 refugees have received help to build new lives in freedom.  The Agency has 65 programs located across Florida and has provided assistance to nearly 750,000 children and families in need.

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