The wait-list for applicants with Project Based Voucher referals opened on Wednesday for the Commons on MLK. The studio apartment complex is one of the first housing developments geared toward ending chronic homelessness in Lane County.
The 51 unit project is a collaboration between Homes for Good, Shelter Care, Lane County and four of the biggest health providers in the area. Kaiser Permanente Northwest, PeaceHealth, PacificSource, and Trillium Community Health Plan invested $2.68 million to complete the project.
Homes for Good Director Jacob Fox said this type of partnership is unique, and not typically seen in housing development. Residents will have access to health classes, addiction and recovery services, and case management.
“People who are chronically homeless have a kind of wide range of both physical and mental health conditions and the building has been intentionally designed to help people heal once they arrive,” Fox said.
Applicants must fit the federal definition of homelessness and will need a referral from Lane County, which involves taking Front Door Assessment. They also have to meet other requirements like having a gross income at or below 50 percent the area median income.
Once approved applicants will be placed on a Centralized Wait-list through Lane County’s Coordinated Entry System.
Homes for Good Communications Director Ela Kubok said there isn’t a limit to the number of individuals who can be on the wait-list, and placement will depend on need.
“It’s not on a first come first serve kind of basis,” said Kubok, “It’s a wait-list that uses the same prioritization as Lane County to determine who’s needs put them higher on the list to get housing."
The completion of the Commons on MLK also brings Lane County closer to fulfilling the Technical Assistance Collaborative report, which calls for 350 units of permanent supportive housing.
Construction is expected to be completed in Dec. and leases could start as soon as the beginning of Jan.
Copyright 2020 KLCC
