Seth Johnson
St. Francis House wants to sell its downtown property to stabilize its fiscal position and relocate services, but the Gainesville nonprofit that addresses homelessness and hunger has no plans to stop helping.
Al Cockrell, treasurer at St. Francis House, said any rumors about the nonprofit closing shop are incorrect.
As a homeless services nonprofit, he said St. Francis House is broke. The lack of backup funds can cause concerns when payroll hits, especially in long months.
“We’re sitting on what for us is essentially a gold mine,” Cockrell said.
The main shelter sits off South Main Street, and St. Francis House has had the facility since 1993. Downtown property has increased in value, and Cockrell, who’s worked at the nonprofit for 30 years, said he’s wanted to sell the location for years.
An appraisal put a $3.8 million price tag on the location. Besides the financial aspect, he said a new location could further services as well.
“We’ve made it work for what we do, but the design isn’t optimum,” Cockrell said of the current building.
St. Francis House offers a free meal every day and shelter beds for 35-40 people. Besides this main shelter, the nonprofit also operates the Arbor House and Sunrise Residence Inn.
St. Francis is looking to either buy a building or build its own. Either way, Cockrell said the sale proceeds should allow more financial stability.
The city of Gainesville has also decided to sell its old fire station located just across SE 4th Place from St. Francis House. At Gainesville’s Feb. 22 meeting, Commissioner Ed Book said the potential of both properties hitting the market at the same time could be favorable for the downtown area in terms of development.
Cockrell said there’s no guarantee the property will sell or sell quickly. But first he said St. Francis House needs to find its new home to continue services.
Cockrell said the nonprofit helped around 100 people move into permanent housing in the past year.
The city of Gainesville has focused on SE 4th Place in the past few months after a dozen homeless tents set up on the road. City officials said they are dealing with the situation to address the concerns of nearby residents while also assisting the homeless in the area connect with resources.
The Gainesville City Commission also approved $700,000 to create 30 more shelter beds at GRACE Marketplace.
They do good work for homeless families, women and kids. Their new location should be out where land is much cheaper, so the building can be bigger — and nowhere near a convenience store like they see across the street now. Such places attract unsavory repeat offenders and mentally ill addicts, not a good neighbor for vulnerable women and kids.
I absolutely agree with you!
I think UF should buy Grace.
The problem with the new beds at grace, they will not provide help for families like saint francis house.
$700k for 30 Beds is Ludicrous! That is $23,333 per bed! St Frances House does the good work. I don’t understand why they keep giving so much money to Grace?
Dump Grace staff —clean house—-
Give Grace to Staff of St Frances House for next 10 years. I guarantee
Things will turn around for families.
Maybe add some tiny houses on the 24 acres?
They need to stay within bus routes, some kind of grocery/supply. Would combining their location with the old fire station make a difference? They don’t need to be out in the middle of nowhere