Finding Independence
In the past year, 19-year-old Maria Romero has gone from living on the streets to becoming increasingly self-sufficient. Today, she has her own apartment and a full-time maintenance job that she loves.After turning 18, Maria, who has bipolar disorder, spent the better part of a year staying in countless homeless shelters and temporary housing facilities. Ultimately, her search led to SRO Housing Corporation and their property, Renato Apartments, where she now lives.
Renato Apartments provides permanent supportive housing to single adults, and dedicates 60 percent of its 95 apartments to chronically homeless individuals with mental illnesses. The supportive environment provided by Renato is ideal for Maria; she has a safe, affordable place to live and access to quality services.
Renato Apartments stands in the heart of the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles in Southern California. It was built on the belief that a revitalized community must include affordable housing and access to the resources residents need to help improve their lives. This belief became a reality with the construction of Renato Apartments.
Enterprise invested $11.7 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity in the development. “With Enterprise’s unwavering support and generosity,” says Anita Nelson, chief executive officer of SRO Housing, “we have achieved new levels of success in a community that has tremendous need.”
For Maria, who moved in shortly after the grand opening, Renato Apartments is more than a place to live—it is the place she calls home.