Castleglen Apartments, a senior housing complex owned and operated by Volunteers of America Texas, received top honors from the city of Garland. Of nearly 250 housing complexes inspected by the city’s Code Compliance Department, Castleglen was named Top Performing Apartment Complex for 2014.
The complex, home to nearly 40 seniors, ranked in the top four percent for its completeness and timeliness of the license application, no violations or complaints reported by tenants last year and no citations or tickets. Members of the city’s Code Compliance Department inspect all components of the buildings for required standards – such as smoke detectors – exterior and interior conditions, electrical systems, plumbing and waste disposal, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, structural components, general sanitation and safety and nuisance violations – trash, grass violations and inoperable vehicles.
“The city appreciates all [their] efforts in providing the citizens of Garland with affordable, clean and safe housing environment,” said Rio Orticio, housing standards manager for Garland’s Code Compliance Department. “We appreciate your outstanding efforts in being the best complex in 2014 and we hope for your continued excellence in the future.”
As one of the largest providers of affordable housing for low-income housing in Texas, with more than 41 housing communities across the state, Volunteers of America Texas specializes in permanent, supportive housing options for at-risk groups – seniors, families facing poverty, individuals with mental and physical disabilities and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities – who otherwise might have to turn to unsafe, blighted housing or worse, the streets.
“We believe housing is a basic human need and the foundation for a stable, fully realized life,” said Betty Morris, vice president of housing and fleet operations. “Throughout Texas and the U.S., the shortage of affordable housing has become critical; and vulnerable populations like seniors, low-income families and adults with disabilities are among the hardest hit. Providing an answer to this shortage is our goal at Volunteers of America Texas.”
About Volunteers of America Texas: Volunteers of America Texas is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that strengthens communities by helping the vulnerable reach their full potential. Services include addiction treatment, affordable housing, intellectual and developmental disabilities services, community re-entry programs and a continuum of support services that address the needs of the whole person.