Secretary of Florida Department of Elder Affairs visits Loveland Center in Venice

Michelle Branham, center, secretary of Florida's Department of Elder Affairs, visited the Loveland Center in Venice on Thursday with Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert, second from left, and representatives of the Loveland Center and Branham's department.
Michelle Branham, center, secretary of Florida's Department of Elder Affairs, visited the Loveland Center in Venice on Thursday with Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert, second from left, and representatives of the Loveland Center and Branham's department.

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham visited the Loveland Center in Venice on Thursday to learn about the nonprofit's affordable housing plans.

The Loveland Center, which has several locations in the Sarasota-Manatee area and also Charlotte County, was established in 1962. The nonprofit offers life skills development programs and services to children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The organization is planning to expand its Venice campus and build The Villas at Loveland Village, which will be affordable housing for low-income families and seniors on a fixed income.

On Tuesday, Branham and her colleagues learned about the Loveland Center's expansion and met some of the staff and participants.

Jennifer Bushinger-Ortiz, Loveland's vice president of philanthropy, said that the secretary also visited the center to see what support or insight she could give the nonprofit as it plans The Villas at Loveland Village.

Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert, center, and representatives of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs tour the Loveland Center's campus during a visit by Florida's Secretary of Elder Affairs Michelle Branham.
Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert, center, and representatives of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs tour the Loveland Center's campus during a visit by Florida's Secretary of Elder Affairs Michelle Branham.

Branham told the Herald-Tribune that “housing is a major issue” for the elderly and those with disabilities.

The secretary is visiting locations across the state to find out what issues her department needs to focus on and prioritize.

For more information about the Loveland Center, visit lovelandcenter.org or call 941-493-0016.

Anne Snabes covers city and county government for the Herald-Tribune. You can contact her at asnabes@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @a_snabes.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Secretary of Florida Department of Elder Affairs stops by Venice