The V.I. Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) purchased the former Villa Morales Restaurant and adjoining apartments in 2019 when the property owners retired. In 2021, the repurposed facility became Liberty Place Inc. — transitional housing for unhoused individuals. In 2023, the facility suffered a fire and has yet to reopen, but it has begun to offer some services.
Liberty Place, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit corporation, was founded in 2011.
Although Liberty Place remains closed, Allahwe Services, the management agency, formed the Assertive Community Action Team (ACAT) and began providing outreach services again in August for people experiencing housing insecurity. The Assertive Community Action Team is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant, and administrated by the Office of Disaster Recovery and VIHFA.
Allahwe, founded in 2016, works in collaboration with Frederiksted Health Care, the V.I. Human Services Department, V.I. Health Department and VIHFA. ACAT has a menu of free services that include locating crisis intervention, food, identification papers, medical assistance, and Social Security. Through continuous contact, they hope to be able to help reduce people being unhoused on St. Croix.
Executive Director Daina Frederick told The Source there are currently two social workers contacting the unhoused population where they live — on the streets. Frederick has 30 years of experience working with physically and mentally disabled adults. Before returning home to St. Croix, she managed Adult Services in Rowan County, North Carolina.
“Since we launched, they have touched base with at least 25 people,” she said, adding they would like to hire two more professionals to work with clients.
Residents or agencies who are aware of people being unhoused can contact ACAT for help. Individuals at risk of losing housing can call 340-719-4357 or visit www.libertyplacestx.org.
When contacted, VIHFA officials said, “VIHFA is actively working with Liberty Place on its future. We are currently in negotiations regarding its sale, and we’re committed to ensuring the best possible outcome. Although we cannot share specific details until the sale is finalized, we want our community to know that reopening remains our priority in collaboration with Liberty Place. We appreciate the patience and understanding as we navigate through the process towards recovery.”
Allahwe is funded by private donors, such as the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. The project began with the Safe Space Saturday morning clinic. In four years, chronically unhoused patients received hot meals, medical, dental and psychiatric exams, free prescriptions, showers, new shoes and clean clothes.
The Villa Morales Restaurant had been owned and operated by Angela Morales and J.T. Torres since 1975. The popular restaurant was known for its local dishes and Spanish cuisine. The New Year’s Eve party was legendary, often lasting until daybreak. The seven-acre property was financed with a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant.
