Guardian Real Estate Services Joins Effort to Revitalize Blighted Dallas Submarket – Implements Much Needed Resident Services at Low Income Apartment Communities

DALLAS-(Business Wire)-September 10, 2009 - Guardian Real Estate Services (Guardian) has joined the effort to revitalize Southeast Dallas, enlisting the assistance of multiple Dallas-based organizations to provide much needed resident services at Creekside Villas Apartments and Trinity Trails Apartments, two low income apartment communities with 432 units of affordable housing at the intersection of Jim Miller Road and South Loop 12. The properties are located in the blighted area of Southeast Dallas, an area that has experienced high crime, prostitution, drugs and poverty. Guardian is a Portland-based management and real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily housing investments and property management services.

Through its partnerships with retailers, non profit and volunteer groups, Guardian has implemented an extensive array of services at Trinity Trails Apartments and Creekside Villas Apartments, including:

Dallas Central Ministries provided free lunches and snacks for residents
World Vision Hopefront provided $500 in home supplies each month
Dallas Central Ministries provided free backpacks with school supplies
“Christmas In July” was provided by five non-profit agencies
World Vision Storefront provided free toiletry and pantry items
Mosaic Family Services conducted drug prevention workshops
The Dallas Police Department conducted monthly crime watch meetings
The City of Dallas Health Department provided the Free Colgate Dental Bus and Free Health Bus
The Texas A&M Extension Services conducted classes on cooking and nutrition
After school program administered by the Resident Services Director
The Dallas Public Library conducted story time sessions
Staples conducted job training workshops
Church of First Gospel conducted bible study
Care Center Ministries conducted Saturday kids’ camp and overcomers classes

“The services have assisted me in reaching my goals through job fairs and other continuing education, and in graduating from ATI as a dental assistant,” said Simondria Williams, a resident at Creekside Villas. “Thanks to the management staff I received grants for school and have a career as a dental assistant. I appreciate them helping me accomplish my goals.”

“Our goal is to partner with businesses and organizations in the Dallas area to bring activities to our communities and change the lives of our tenants,” said J Daniel Steffey, vice president of development of Guardian Real Estate Services. “We actively seek to partner with others in order to continue our mission of improving Southeast Dallas.”

“The response from community-based organizations has been impressive,” added Roxana Hammock, Guardian’s Regional Manager for Texas. “We are now working with those organizations to encourage our neighboring multifamily property owners and the public officials of the City of Dallas and Dallas County.”

Hammock went on to say that “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has been extremely supportive of our efforts. Additionally, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Services has pledged to join the effort by asking the other multifamily owners in the neighborhood to form a coalition to improve public safety in the community.”

ABOUT GUARDIAN REAL ESTATE SERVICES:

Founded in 1971 with headquarters in Portland, Ore., Guardian Real Estate Services (formerly Guardian Management LLC) is a privately held, third generation real estate management and investment firm. Specializing in multifamily real estate investments and property management services, Guardian’s diverse real estate experience offers property owners and investors a valuable combination of market expertise and contacts. Currently, Guardian’s management portfolio consists of more than 120 properties (12,000 units) and more than 400 employees in seven states. The company owns approximately 50 percent of its portfolio. For more information, visit www.gres.com.

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