Home at Last

By JOHN WOODS

As the 15 apartments in the newly reconstructed five-story building at 206 E. Fourth Street in lower Manhattan begin to receive their residents this week, it will mark the completion of an eight-year process undertaken by Nazareth Housing.

There were many participants who helped to turn the long-closed Most Holy Redeemer parish school building into a living residence for low-income families, but no one person was more vital than Sister Marion Agnes Daniel, M.S.B.T., for whom the building is now named.

The 82-year-old nun has dedicated much of her life and ministry over the past three decades to the poor of the Lower East Side. She has been associated with Nazareth Housing since she founded it in 1983, spending much of that time as executive director.

"She is an inspiration to everyone she meets," said Mary Kilbourn who three years ago succeeded Sister Marion Agnes as executive director and continues to work in close collaboration with her.

Nazareth Housing is a non-sectarian agency dedicated to reducing homelessness and promoting the self-sufficiency of families. It is based on East 11th Street and its programs seek to assist the low-income population of the area. Along with housing, Nazareth's social service team provides support to families for education, employment, child care, parenting and health needs.

The project in the former school building at Most Holy Redeemer was the biggest one that Nazareth has ever undertaken, and it marked the first time that the group had attempted the complete rehabilitation of a building. Apart from the original sustaining walls, a total reconstruction of the facility took place, yielding one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Because reconstruction funds were coming from sources on the city, state and federal levels, each with their own requirements and concerns, the project was very complex. Ms. Kilbourn said that success would not have been possible without the diligent dedication of Nazareth's board of directors, who found a way to surmount all obstacles that blocked the path of success. Several law firms also offered their services on a pro bono basis. A major concern was convincing the city to allow the building to maintain its tax-free status.

Both Ms. Kilbourn and Sister Marion also gave credit to the archdiocese for sticking with the project which was initially approved under Cardinal O'Connor. Both were appreciative of the work that David S. Brown, director of the archdiocese's Real Estate Division, put in from the beginning.

The archdiocese, as owner of the building, wanted to make sure that Nazareth would be financially responsible for the project, Sister Marion Agnes said. Nazareth's lease is for 30 years.

"The archdiocese gave up valuable development rights," Ms. Kilbourn said."We're most grateful."

As, no doubt, are the families who will occupy the apartments-13 are permanent housing units, with two slated as transitional units for homeless families with children. The income of residents must fall between 30 and 60 percent of the area's median income. A lottery was conducted in September to determine which of the more than 1,000 applicants for the apartments would get the opportunity to move in.

When it was time to name the building, Nazareth's board wanted to recognize Sister Marion Agnes. After her religious community, the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, voiced its support, Sister Marion Agnes reluctantly agreed. On Dec. 15, Marion Agnes House was dedicated.

"That I didn't want," Sister Marion Agnes said."None of the work in housing is done by one person...I have never wanted to be singled out."

But she is happy with what was accomplished for the 15 families who will now have a nice place that they can call home.