Georgia’s Shelter Plus Care Program provides long-term housing and supportive services to homeless persons with disabilities and their families. These supportive services, along with rental assistance and funding through the ARRA Neighborhood Stabilization Program, allowed RiverEdge Behavioral Health Center to open 18 units of housing for the chronically mentally ill.
The development, called First Neighborhood, is an example of how the Georgia Department of Community Affairs partners with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia’s families. First Neighborhood allows residents to blend in to the surrounding community, while still providing supportive services that allow them to live independently. The individuals and families who live there are often some of the hardest to house.
According to First Neighborhood resident Obadiah, “This place is just beautiful. I know many of the people here. I can go to my neighbor’s and borrow a cup of sugar. I just love it.” Obadiah has been homeless off and on for the past 20 years, battling depression and substance abuse. Now that he has received treatment and a new home, he hopes to continue to get his life in order.
First Neighborhood reaches beyond bricks and mortar to tie the neighborhood together, and bring a sense of community to what was once a devastated area and a newfound hope to lives that at one time were hopeless. Staci Tillman, Housing Coordinator at Georgia DCA, sums it up nicely: “I believe this project follows both the 'spirit and the law' of the NSP with permanent support and services.”
To learn more about Georgia Department of Community Affairs/Georgia Housing and Finance Authority, please visit their website.
For information on our Homeless Assistance initiatives, see our advocacy page.
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