Las Salas, Inc.
The congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church has always had a deep interest in assisting neighbors and being a good neighbor in the Sunnyslope community. In 1992, the run-down, beleaguered apartments west of the church became available for purchase. Members of Trinity envisioned the good that would come from transforming the 73 apartments into senior and family housing for low and middle income residents. A committee from Trinity, working with Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest, researched the proposal. In 1993, the committee proposed to the congregation that a non-profit organization be formed to acquire the property. This proposal was accepted and the non-profit Las Salas, Inc. (loosely translated means “Rooms for Living”) was formed. With the assistance of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the City of Phoenix Home Program, and Bank of America (Community Development), Las Salas acquired the apartments.
For the ensuing months, Trinity members removed old tile and carpets and prepared the apartments for professional renovation. As major work was completed, Trinity members painted and cleaned the newly renovated apartments. By 1997, the apartment complex, named “Desert Arbor” was gated, re-landscaped and made ready to provide safe and affordable housing for low and moderate income residents. Las Salas utilizes the services of Dunlap & Magee of Phoenix, Arizona to operate the apartments, providing day-to-day management services. Part-time Trinity employees and volunteers provide support, programming, and arrange monthly parties and holiday gatherings forDesert Arbor residents. Trinity’s Volunteer Coordinator also assists residents with transportation arrangements, housekeeping arrangements, if needed, and finding healthcare items (wheelchairs, crutches, bath seats, canes, and walkers). This assistance helps residents live independently, longer.
Las Salas, as a model for successful renovation and non-profit ownership, served as an advisor to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale, Arizona and to Lutheran Social Ministries of Southern California in conjunction with planning and building a 43 unit apartment project for the elderly, directly adjacent to St. John’s property.
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