St. Petersburg Free Clinic purchases new building for Beacon House

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 6, 2018) – The St. Petersburg Free Clinic has acquired a new location for its Beacon House, which provides safe, supportive and transitional shelter to single, homeless men working toward sober, stable, and independent living. The new building will provide significant improvements for the men in the program, including more privacy with the addition of semi-private living quarters.

With a significant gift from retired business executive David Baldwin, the Free Clinic has purchased a multi-family housing building at 3835 28th St. in St. Petersburg. Other anonymous donors also contributed to the project to make $500,000 in repairs and to purchase furnishings and equipment.

The 6,500-square-foot facility will serve 28 men among seven two-bedroom apartments with each unit sharing a kitchenette, bathroom and laundry facilities. It’s a significant improvement from the barrack-style sleeping quarters and a large shared bathroom similar to those found at exercise facilities that the current building provides to Beacon House residents. In addition, an efficiency apartment will serve as the sleeping area for men newly admitted to the program.

The new building will also include a community room for meetings, recreation and training sessions to take place. These sessions will teach important life skills like how to use a computer, write a resume, interview for jobs, and set and follow a budget. The program requires men to set goals, start working and save money to help build toward independent living upon graduation from the program.

“The new Beacon House property will allow us to serve the men in this program with more dignity,” said Beth Houghton, St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s executive director. “We can’t thank the community enough for its support of this program, and we look forward to making an even bigger positive impact on the lives of our residents who are working so hard to become self-sufficient.”

Established in 1997, the Beacon House has provided shelter and support to more than 1,500 men in transition from homelessness to long-term housing independence and financial stability.

Donor gifts made the $700,000 purchase possible. Paula Clair Smith, director of commercial services for Colliers Tampa Bay, represented the Free Clinic in the purchase from private sellers. The new building is expected to open in late spring 2018.

About St. Petersburg Free Clinic
St. Petersburg Free Clinic is a multi-service, independent, not-for-profit human services agency providing neighbors in need assistance with food, shelter and health care since 1970.The Free Clinic is comprised of eight programs that are a beacon of hope for families and individuals who fall through the cracks of existing systems and services. To learn more, please visit www.stpetersburgfreeclinic.org.