Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/100060
Sarasota News Leader December 21, 2012 Page 40 SARASOTA AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATE HONORED BY LIGHTNING Charley Richards, a local affordable housing advocate who partners with the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County to provide housing for adults with disabilities, was recently honored by the Tampa Bay Lightning as a Lightning Community Hero. He received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation to invest in his nonprofit organization, Community Affordable Supported Living, a City of Sarasota news release says. Founded in 1997, CASL provides affordable housing for adults with disabilities throughout the Tampa Bay region, the release notes. Through the use of federal and state grants disbursed by the Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development, Richards has purchased, renovated and managed 23 homes in Sarasota, the release adds. Altogether, more than 40 CASL homes in the Tampa Bay region are serving 100 developmentally disabled persons, the release says. Typically, the homes are located in neighborhoods near jobs and public transportation with monthly rent set at the affordable rate of $250 to $300, the release points out. Former Sarasota County Commissioner Charley Richards is honored by representatives of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Contributed photo including handling a budget and job training, the release notes. After Richards lost his wife and developmentally challenged son in a car crash, he dedicated his life to providing disabled persons the types of opportunities his son was never able to enjoy, the release says. CASL also provides clients with a case manag- Richards is a former Sarasota County comer who assists them with developing life skills, missioner. ORANGE AVENUE REOPENS AFTER CONSTRUCTION Orange Avenue between 10th Way and 19th Street has reopened to all traffic following a temporary closure for a drainage improvement project, the City of Sarasota has announced. a city news release says. A flag crew will be on site to direct traffic, the release adds. Road construction will continue on 17th Street west of Orange Avenue, the release notes. However, to accommodate asphalt milling and Small segments of sidewalk also will be under repaving, intermittent lane closures will occur construction and trees will be planted along during the second and third weeks of January, Orange Avenue, the release says.