Stanislaus is getting housing for homeless people struggling with mental illness
Stanislaus County supervisors approved a funding agreement Tuesday to provide 38 permanent supportive housing units for people struggling with mental illness, substance use and homelessness.
The project, estimated at $10.8 million, is inspired by the “Housing First” concept that stable housing is essential before people can be treated effectively for mental illness or substance use disorder.
According to a count in October, there are 466 people getting services from county Behavioral Health and Recovery Services who are unsheltered or sleeping in temporary shelter or housing. The new Central Valley Homes project will start to address a lack of permanent housing for these individuals.
“We are working on development of housing stock for this population and want to continue to increase this housing,” BHRS Director Tony Vartan said.
Legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016, called the No Place Like Home program, targeted $2 billion in bond money for building the permanent supportive housing.
Starting with a 2019 application for $3.3 million in No Place Like Home funds for 19 housing units, the Stanislaus County project grew to 35 newly constructed dwellings on Vine Street near the King-Kennedy Memorial Center and three rehabilitation units in the 1100 block of Park Street in Turlock.
Eighteen one-bedroom units will be for BHRS clients diagnosed with serious mental illness, who are homeless or close to being homeless.
BHRS treatment teams also will refer single men and women, partners and single parents with children to the housing program.
County BHRS, Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority, F&M Bank, the city of Modesto and county Planning and Community Development are partners in the project.
The housing units will have stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves and laundry equipment. BHRS will provide case management and peer support for the clients and help them with independent living skills.
The program eligibility has an income range from 20% to 30% of the area’s median income.
Funding for the development project is coming from No Place Like Home program, an F&M bank loan, the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority, the state’s Mental Health Services Act and other housing programs.
This story was originally published February 14, 2023 at 11:56 AM.
