St. Johns Housing Partnership’s Patriot Place Holds Special Ceremony
ST. AUGUSTINE – St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP), MountainStar Partners, UF Health, the City of St. Augustine and St. Johns County recognized the residents of St. Augustine’s Patriot Place with a hand-crafted statue to commemorate their military service.
A pair of military boots, a helmet and a weapon was donated by a partner who wishes to remain anonymous.
Located at 79 Masters Drive, the six-unit apartment community offers one-bedroom apartments to veterans at 30% of the market value, with the balance subsidized by the St. Johns Housing Partnership. \
In addition to safe, clean, and affordable housing, veterans can work with UF Health St. Johns social health programs and UF Health St. Johns Care Connect+ for resources such as food pantries, counseling, workplace readiness and transportation.
Chris Lazarra, MountainStar’s CEO; Bill Lazar, executive director of St. Johns Housing Partnership; Shastan Johnson, St. Johns County Continuum of Care Housing lead; Kevin Sweeny, UF Health chief of staff; St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick; and St. Augustine City Commissioner Cynthia Garris were in attendance.
Founded in 1996, the SJHP provides low- to moderate-income housing solutions by working with the public and private sectors to rebuild neglected homes and revitalize neighborhoods in disadvantaged areas.
Touting a million-dollar price tag, Patriot Place became a reality through MountainStar Partners, SJHP, and St. Johns County.
MountainStar Partners committed more than $500,000 for the land acquisition and construction costs. Bryan McCloskey served as the architect with construction completed by Robert Marshall of World Island Builders.
