[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 169 (Thursday, October 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE CATHOLICS FOR HOUSING, INCORPORATED 2017 FATHER GERARD 
                    CREEDON HOUSING AWARD RECIPIENTS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the anniversary of 
Catholics for Housing, Incorporated and to congratulate the Father 
Gerard Creedon Housing Award recipients.
  Catholics for Housing, Incorporated was established in 1979 by Father 
Gerard Creedon and a dedicated group of community members. Together 
they began working to expand affordable housing options and prevent 
homelessness in response to the United States Conference of Catholic 
Bishops' Pastoral Letter entitled, ``The Right to a Decent Home.'' Now 
in its 38th year, Catholics for Housing has grown substantially in both 
breadth of mission and clientele. Since its inception, the organization 
has expanded to provide assistance in 21 counties within the vicinity 
of the Arlington Catholic Diocese.
  The organization has adapted over the years with new goals and a 
renewed vision while remaining true to its core mission of 
collaborating with others to support the development, construction, and 
rehabilitation of affordable housing, as well as to provide senior 
citizen rental assistance, security deposit assistance, and 
collaborative education and advocacy efforts. Catholics for Housing 
provides a continuum of housing through life skills training, senior 
rental assistance in Fairfax County, down payment assistance in Prince 
William, Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun Counties, security deposit 
assistance, rental homes in Vienna, Arlington, Fairfax and 
Fredericksburg and homeownership opportunities.
  Catholics for Housing is sustained through the dedication and 
generosity of its board, staff, volunteers, and many community 
partners. It is my honor to include in the Record the following 
Catholics for Housing partners for sustaining the vision established by 
Father Creedon and our dedicated community members. The 2017 Father 
Gerard Creedon Housing Award honorees are St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic 
Church and Ms. Alice G. Haase.
  St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church and its parishioners are a 
Catholic community committed to nourishing through education and to 
proclaiming and promoting social justice. Through the St. Mary of 
Sorrows Catholic Church Tithing Fund Allocation, the church has 
generously provided grants to Catholics for Housing. For the last 
twelve years, St. Mary of Sorrows has provided funding to ensure the 
sustainment of the Virginia Ely Senior Rental Assistance Program and 
the Edie Streett Security Deposit Assistance Program. Due to their 
continued support, the annual funding provided by St. Mary of Sorrows 
Catholic Church covers the expenses so that two seniors may live 
independently for a year and covers the security deposit for 10 rental 
homes.
  Alice G. Haase, Esquire is the co-founder of CastroHaase PLLC, a 
commercial real estate law firm located in Washington, D.C. She 
dedicates much of her spare time to the betterment of the community. 
Alice has extended her services to Catholics for Housing to increase 
access to affordable housing throughout Northern Virginia and further 
the reach of programs in the community.
  In recognition of the efficacy of the unique programs offered, 
Catholics for Housing has received numerous awards and honors. 
Catholics for Housing has been recognized by the U.S. Housing and Urban 
Development for ``Best Practices'' and received the Best New Project in 
Northern Virginia Award and an Arlington Community Award. In addition, 
the organization was named ``One of the Best'' by the Catalogue of 
Philanthropy in 2005-06 and again in 2011-12.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
2017 Father Gerard Creedon Housing Award recipients and in commending 
the efforts of Catholics for Housing, Incorporated, its board, staff, 
and dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to provide needed support 
and assistance to many in our community.

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