Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird provided new details Thursday morning on the first city owned permanent supportive housing project for the homeless. It will be built on the corner of 8th and J Street by the architect firm Sinclair Hille.
“We’ll construct 24 individual apartments and offer supportive wrap-around services to help individuals experiencing chronic homelessness get off the streets and back on their feet,” Gaylor Baird says. She also announced that CenterPointe will manage the facility and provide a wide variety of services to the residents.
“Living without stable housing can drastically worsen health, exacerbate mental illness, make ending problematic substance use difficult and prevent chronic physical health conditions from being addressed, says CenterPointe President and CEO Topher Hansen. “This is a place they can move into and live the rest of their lives. They can also decide to move an go elsewhere.”
In addition to the 24 apartment units, the 15,000 square foot, two story building will feature a secure entry lobby and shared laundry room, common gathering spaces, including a covered front porch, kitchen, yard and garden.
There will also be secure offices and meeting space for the CenterPointe staff. “This announcement underscores how the City of Lincoln and our community are committed to growing an equitable and inclusive city where all residents are safe, healthy, housed, and have the opportunity to thrive,” Gaylor Baird says.
Case managers, maintenance staff, and security personnel for the supportive services will be available to provide 24-hour staffing, seven days a week. Residents will also be able to access services including physical health, pharmacy, counseling, and crisis support at CenterPointe’s Campus for Health and Wellbeing at 2202 South 11th St.
Construction of the $5.2 million apartment building is scheduled to begin in October and is estimated to cost $5.2 million. The project is expected to be completed in late 2025. Funding includes $4.1 million in HOME American Rescue Plan Act funds and $1 million from State Department of Economic Development ARPA funds.
(Photos: City of Lincoln)