Our History

 

Franciscan Ministries, Inc. (FMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and its subsidiaries have more than twenty years experience in providing affordable housing to low-income and very low-income persons.  In 1972, 209 units of independent and family housing were developed at Marian Park in Wheaton, Illinois under the HUD Section 236 program.  That same year Francis Heights, Inc., a 383 unit HUD Section 236 project and Clare Gardens, Inc., a 128 unit HUD Section 8 family development, were opened by Franciscan Ministries in Denver, Colorado.  In the ensuing years, FMI has expanded into other states including Iowa and Wisconsin. 

A history of pro-active housing initiatives distinguishes FMI from other housing providers.  A complete range of management services ensures responsive and cost-effective operations.  FMI has a resident focused management philosophy.  Therefore, services are offered that promote a mutually caring and safe environment characterized by respectful relationships.  Services provide opportunities that nurture meaning, joy, self sufficiency and choice for our residents.  Building healthy communities at every location as well as within the greater community is supported and encouraged.  Resident services represent the approach utilized by FMI to organize services and fulfill the role of service-oriented management, which nurtures the power within individuals and families, and encourages fundamental change of social and economic systems that enhances quality of life.  Core services are categorized into five areas of service:   

·         Education

·         Health and Hygiene

·         Consumer Economics

·         Community Involvement

·         Social Services and Enrichment

It is through these areas that residents are assisted and offered hope, growth and opportunity.

FMI is the housing holding company of the Wheaton Franciscan System (the System), a housing and health care system sponsored by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisteres of Wheaton, Illinois.  The System, which operates in the Midwest and Denver, Colorado area, involves over 50 corporations with 23,000 associates.  Sponsored housing includes some 2,500 units in 26 legal entities.  FMI is the sole corporate member in most of the housing owned.  However, there are two properties owned by limited partnerships, of which an FMI subsidiary is the general partner.

Types of housing developed by FMI since 1983 include: 

·            Low income family rental housing

·            Low income elderly rental housing

·            Special needs housing for homeless, disabled persons and frail elderly

FRANCISCAN MINISTRIES, INC. EXPERIENCE 

FMI has the following experience in the development, acquisition and management of housing for low-income families and elderly. 

DEVELOPMENT

·      Assisi Homes – Kenosha, Inc., Kenosha, WI – a 60 unit Section 202 facility for the elderly

·      Assisi Homes of Gurnee, Inc., Gurnee, IL – a 60 unit Section 202 facility for the elderly

·      Assisi Homes of Neenah, Inc., Neenah, WI – a 38 unit Section 202 facility for the elderly

·      Canticle Place, Inc., Wheaton, IL – a 12 unit Section 811 facility for persons disabled by HIV/AIDS

·      Clare Gardens, Inc., Denver, CO – a 128 unit Section 8 family facility

·      Dayspring Villa, Inc., Denver, CO – a 71 unit licensed Alternative Care facility for the frail elderly

·      Clare of Assisi Homes – Westminster, Inc., Westminster, CO – a 60 unit Section 202 facility for the elderly

·         Francis Heights, Inc., Denver, CO – a 383 unit Section 236/8 facility for the elderly (including a Congregate Housing Service Program (CHSP)) for the frail elderly

·      Kenosha Seniors Limited Partnership, Kenosha, WI – a 60 unit Section 42 facility for the elderly

·      Marian Housing Center, Inc., Racine, WI – a 40 unit Section 202 facility for the elderly        

·      Marian Park, Inc., Wheaton, IL – a 209 unit Section 236/8 facility for families and elderly

·      Ridgeway Place, Inc., Waterloo, IA – a 96 unit licensed Assisted Living facility for frail elderly, (internal-financing)

·      Villa St. Clare, Inc., Neenah, WI – a 45 unit Certified Residential Care Apartment Complex for frail elderly, (WHEDA financed)

·      Villa Maria, Inc., Westminster, CO – a 40 unit Section 202 facility for the elderly

ACQUISITION

Following are subsidiaries for which assets owned were acquired either in the Low Income Housing & Preservation Homeownership Act (LIHPRHA) preservation process or utilizing tax credits and other affordable grant programs:

·      Assisi Homes – Batavia Apartments, Inc., Batavia, IL – a 290 unit family facility acquired under the LIHPRHA Preservation Program

·      Assisi Homes – Constitution House, Inc., Aurora, IL – a 232 unit facility for the elderly acquired under the LIHPRHA Preservation Program

·      Assisi Homes – Colony Park, Inc. Carol Stream, IL  – a 284 unit facility for the elderly acquired under the LIHPRAH Preservation Program.

·      Assisi Homes of Illinois, Inc., DuPage County, IL – 65 units of scattered site family housing in 12 apartment buildings (DuPage County, CDBG funding)

·      Assisi Homes – Jefferson Court, Inc., Milwaukee, WI – a 222 unit facility for the elderly acquired under the LIHPRHA Preservation Program

·      Assisi Homes – Saxony, Inc., Kenosha, WI – a 224 unit facility for the elderly acquired under the LIHPRHA Preservation Program

·         Starved Rock-LaSalle Manor Ltd. Partnership, LaSalle, IL – a 48 unit HUD Section 8/tax credit family facility

MANAGEMENT

FMI manages all properties included in the development and acquisiiton sections above. 

Management services offered include the following: 

  • FMI Site Operating Manual
  • Internal compliance monitoring programs
  • Streamlined financial reporting and audit processes
  • Centralized accounts payable and payroll processes
  • Operating and reserve cash account management
  • User-friendly budget software, processes and reporting
  • Five-year financial plans
  • Five-year capital plans
  • Human resource policies and employee handbook
  • Resident surveys/needs assessment 

EXPERIENCE IN ORGANIZING RESIDENT ADVISORY GROUPS 

Central to the FMI philosophy and crucial to the harmonious operation of FMI housing are resident services.  Experience demonstrates that appropriate assistance (personal and family empowerment programs, social services, educational programs, and direction) can restore dignity to troubled lives.  These services can transform individuals and communities.

FMI corporate staff has assisted its subsidiary project management in the formation of resident groups at several FMI sponsored projects.  Present groups that act as planning and advisory groups to management include:

·         Marian Park Senior Council

·         Francis Heights Resident Council

·         Starved Rock-LaSalle Manor Tenant Council

·         Ridgeway Place  Resident Council

·         Assisi Homes Saxony Resident Council

·         Dayspring Villa Resident Council