FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2014) – The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers has appointed Mattie S. Young as chairwoman of the board and Peter Routsis-Arroyo as vice chairman.

Appointed by the mayor of the City of Fort Myers, the board serves as the governing officers of the HACFM. Through formal adoption of policy, it ensures the housing authority’s purpose and accompanying responsibilities are carried out in as efficient and economical a manner as possible. The seven board members volunteer their services to the housing authority. Commissioners ensure the housing authority operates within the law and according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.

Born and raised in Fort Myers, Young graduated from North Fort Myers High School and has held several positions in the same school system where she received her education. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University in 1974 and began her career in criminology with the department of corrections at the Desoto Correctional Institution in Arcadia as a teacher. From 1975- to 1978, she was employed with the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS), where she worked as an intake counselor, probation and parole officer and child protective investigator. During her employment with HRS, she continued her education to pursue graduate education certifications in school social work, K-12 and elementary education at the University of South Florida. After obtaining employment with the School District of Lee County in 1978, she worked as a school social worker for 10 years while she earned her master’s degree in Supervision and Administration from Nova University. Young worked as the student welfare and attendance program coordinator for the School District of Lee County where she was responsible for program planning and management. She was selected by the Florida Association of School Social Workers (FASSW) as the 2005 Administrator of the Year. Young is actively involved in numerous professional, civic, social and community organizations. As a member of Theta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she serves as the president of the Floral Hamilton Roberts nonprofit organization. She is also a board member of the Dunbar Housing Association, Dunbar Improvement Association, Source of Light and Hope, Florida State School Social Worker’s Association, Florida State Florists’ Association, and the Lee County Homeless Coalition.

Routsis-Arroyo has been president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. since 2001 and is responsible for the total operation of the organization, overseeing 27 locations covering a 10-county area in Southwest Florida. He is a licensed social worker and graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in social work. From 1998 until 2001, Routsis-Arroyo was the district director for Catholic Charities of Lee County. Prior to that from 1993 until 1998, he worked for Catholic Family Services in Hartford, Conn. as clinical director/senior management team and director of the Institute for the Hispanic Family.

The HACFM serves as a catalyst for increasing access to safe, affordable housing and to help develop, preserve and revitalize communities through affordable rental housing. The agency is dedicated to empowering families with the means to become as self-sufficient as possible, encouraging and facilitating movement toward financial independence beyond the need for HACFM services, while recognizing the needs and limitations of the mentally and physically disabled, aged and infirmed.

The HACFM provides high-quality, stable and sustainable housing and related services to people in need. In addition, the staff works diligently in providing programs such as Resident Services/Family Self-Sufficiency and HOPE VI Community Supportive Services. The goal is to help families become self-sufficient, therefore strengthening the communities that use public and private resources efficiently and effectively. The HACFM also aims to instill pride and a desire for an enhanced quality of life for families and serves the greater Fort Myers community in a manner that demonstrates professional courtesy, respect and caring.

For more information, call 239-344-3220 or visit www.hacfm.org.