Officials break ground on city's first supportive housing for chronically homeless
Construction on the first city-owned permanent supportive housing project will begin next week at 802 J St., taking what the mayor said is a big step to reducing chronic homelessness.
"Studies show that when we invest in housing-first approaches for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, we reduce emergency room visits, decrease involvement with the criminal justice system and significantly improve overall health outcomes," Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said at a news conference Thursday.
"These results not only benefit the individuals who find homes but also reduce costs for taxpayers in the long run. When we create housing for all, we strengthen the fabric of our community."
The groundbreaking ceremony in what is now a parking lot at 802 J St. — the shovels turned dirt in a small strip of grass between the parking lot and the sidewalk on J Street — highlighted a priority of Gaylor Baird's administration: affordable housing.
Other city efforts include a rehab program for existing homes in the city's core, lead paint mitigation, facilitating the construction of new housing through partnerships with local nonprofits and developers, and down payment assistance with federal dollars administered by the city.
The project combines affordable housing – 24 studio apartments – with wraparound supportive services to help residents build independent living skills and connect them with health care and treatment services and employment opportunities.
The apartments are designed for people considered chronically homeless: those who have a disabling condition and have been homeless for 12 months continuously or four times in the past three years.
The city chose BIC Construction as the general contractor to build the 15,000-square-foot building, which was designed by Sinclair Hille. It will be run by CenterPointe, a nonprofit that specializes in mental health and substance use treatment, which also runs its own supportive housing units.
CenterPointe offers more than 40 programs that will be available to apartment residents, including mental health and substance use therapy, primary care services, psychiatric medication management and pharmacy services, said Topher Hansen, CenterPointe president and CEO.
The two-story building will include 24 single-bed studio apartments with shared laundry, secure-entry lobby and reception area, common spaces including a covered front porch, kitchen, yard and garden, secure offices and meeting spaces for CenterPointe staff, and off-street parking for staff and visitors.
Urban Development Director Peter Hind said the spaces were designed specifically for residents who have suffered trauma, addiction or stress. The trauma-informed design includes lots of daylight and windows, colors that promote calm and wellness, acoustics to minimize noise, heating and cooling controlled by residents to increase their sense of ownership and increasing the sense of emotional and physical safety by making sure the apartments have no hidden corners or blind spots.
There will be space for socializing or quiet contemplation, and for gardening, which promotes access to healthy food choices and a sense of community, Hind said.
"Gardening also provides hope," he said. "When you sow a seed and water the plant you are imagining a future filled with sustenance and accomplishment."
Case managers and maintenance and security personnel will staff the building 24 hours a day. Referrals for admissions will come from Lincoln's coordinated entry system, and Lincoln Housing Authority will partner with the city to provide housing vouchers.
The $5.2 million project will be paid for with a $4.1 million grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, and $1.1 million from the Nebraska Economic Development ARPA funds. A $292,253 grant from HUD will be used for operational costs, dollars that are renewable annually.
Hind said the project shows the city's commitment to addressing long-term homelessness with compassion and dignity.
"We are creating more than just a structure," Hind said. "We're building a community rooted in dignity, stability and opportunity for all."
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