Catholic Housing Initiative Dedicates Notre Dame Court

Contact Joseph W. Dingman at 214-616-1202 or info@notredamecourt.org.

(Dallas, Texas-June, 2010) New affordable housing for very low income seniors is now available in Oak Cliff. The Catholic Housing Initiative announced today that it has completed construction of Notre Dame Court. A dedication ceremony was held on May 19 to celebrate the opening of the new community at 801 South Madison Avenue. Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of the Diocese of Dallas joined members of the Catholic Housing Initiative at the celebration. Also in attendance were some of the seniors who will make Notre Dame Court their home.

Notre Dame Court is a 69 unit affordable senior housing community located near the center of the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. It is open to people at least 62 years old with income below 50% of the Dallas Area Median. Rentals are offered on a sliding scale. Sr. Mary Anne Owens, president of the sponsoring entity, and also executive director of Catholic Charities of Dallas, said "Notre Dame Court offers quality independent living so seniors in Oak Cliff with modest means can retire in their neighborhood, near friends, family, and the amenities they enjoyed while working."

The Catholic Housing Initiative is a group of individuals sharing a mission for advancement of quality, affordable housing opportunities for families and seniors in the Dallas area. It has other sites in Coppell, Mesquite, and East Dallas and previously developed a Catholic retirement community in Coppell, now CHRISTUS St. Joseph Village.

Funding for the development came from a "202" grant from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development and from equity provided by the sponsors. According to Michael Backman, Director of Multifamily HUB in the Fort Worth HUD office, "The Section 202 Elderly Housing program provides federal grants and rent assistance to non-profit sponsors to build and maintain housing for low income seniors. It is a valuable tool to leverage the energy and resources of selected non-profits to provide quality housing for our low-income seniors. The rental assistance helps eligible residents pay the necessary rents and allows the non-profit to maintain the facility. Section 202 does not provide health care or dining to residents, or services to non-residents."

Diana McIver and Associates of Austin assisted the Catholic Housing Initiative in application for the funding grant and many other aspects of the development. The project was designed by LZT Architects of Austin and was constructed by Cordova Construction of Nacogdoches. Both firms have extensive experience with housing for seniors.

Prospective residents should contact Carmen Arana Lewis, the site manager, at 214-942-8000 or by email at leasing@notredamecourt.