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Ground Broken For The Sanctuary

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By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 17, 2008

SULPHUR SPRINGS - Blu Jamison put a face to the homeless.

She moved to Tampa in 2006 searching for specialized medical care for her son Jevon, now 14.

"I never imagined I would find myself looking at my children waiting for answers I didn't have," the 37-year-old former Texan said.

After nearly five months on the streets, Metropolitan Ministries reached out with hotel vouchers, food, emotional support and temporary housing.

By January, the nonprofit agency hopes to have Jamison's family and 11 other families moved into 12 town homes being built at 750 E. Waters Ave. Calvary United Methodist Church's former sanctuary and fellowship hall recently were torn down to make way for the housing.

"Our real dream would be to have them moved in by Christmas," said Tim Marks, the nonprofit's chief development officer.

More than 60 people attended groundbreaking ceremonies Tuesday for The Sanctuary town home project, including Mayor Pam Iorio, city and county staff members and Metropolitan Ministries board members.

"This is the kind of project that really helps people to transition to better lives," Iorio said. "That's what it's all about."

There will be a pair of two-story buildings, each with six town homes, and the complex will have a clubhouse.

Tenants will be families who have been homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless and are part of the nonprofit's self-help program. They will have jobs, pay up to 30 percent of their rent and have mentors assigned to support them.

It is estimated that families will be able to move into their own housing within two years.

Metropolitan Ministries says it has up to 40 families daily waiting for housing. The goal is to use The Sanctuary as a model for affordable housing projects.

The city council approved the project in June. Neighbors and the Sulphur Springs Action League had objected, saying the project was a good idea but would further burden a community overwhelmed with needy families.

League President Joseph Robinson joined the groundbreaking and said it was time to move forward.

"Our concern would be if they don't live up to what they say they'll do," Robinson said. "If we can help them, we'll try to embrace them as soon as they move in."

Lennar Homes and other builders plan to contribute in-kind construction totaling about half of the $2.1 million cost. Other funds will come from city, county and state grants, the United Methodist Church, HomeAid and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties.

Calvary United Methodist had outgrown its facility and donated the land for the town homes.

Discussion on The Sanctuary began nearly three years ago as Metropolitan Ministries looked for housing options for families who were "stable and ready to move out into the community," said Morris Hintzman, the agency's president.

"We thought we'd take a shot at this because we'd be investing in all this good work with families," he said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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