Two projects aim to help end homelessness in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia’s City Council plans to discuss the need for affordable housing growing locally.
Two projects are being considered by the council at Monday’s 5 p.m. meeting. Construction of the new Voluntary Action Center’s Opportunity Campus and plans to redevelop Columbia Housing Authority's Park Avenue public housing units.
“There's lots of things we can do,” Jane Williams, the executive director with Love Columbia said. “I think there's really a will to try to seek the solutions and work together in a creative way. It's going to have to be the government, social service and private sector working together.”
Williams, alongside representatives from VAC, CHA, Room at the Inn and Loaves and Fishes is listed as a contributor for the report being discussed by the council. She added that Love Columbia has seen an increased inability for people to find housing since the pandemic.
However, it wasn’t until the middle of 2021 that they noticed rent costs hiking. She said those prices have gone up about 20% since the pandemic started.
“It's just squeezed out people who have more barriers and who are struggling. And so we've just seen more people topple into homelessness,” Williams said.
The two projects to be discussed by Columbia's City Council are meant to address that growing need.
Courtesy of City of Columbia, Comprehensive Homeless Service Center Plan Report.
Monday, the CHA announced a $15 million grant in Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits for reconstructing Park Avenue properties. Adding in the $7 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds, an estimated $22 million is listed for the project’s budget. The 60-year-old units would be demolished, and 79 new units for public housing would be built along the street, including 22 one-bedroom units for single adults.
Listed in the report, CHA included a poll taken by their residents. 87% of occupants currently in the units have experienced homelessness before being housed through CHA. According to its website, CHA provides housing assistance to over 1,900 families in Columbia and Boone County.
Courtesy of City of Columbia, Comprehensive Homeless Service Center Plan Report.
In addition, VAC’s plans to build an Opportunity Campus continue, a project that’s been in discussion for about two years. Groups plan to build the campus on Business Loop 70 near Bowling Street. The project has an estimated budget of $18 million dollars. The project is funded using city and county ARPA, local foundation requests, a capital campaign and "cash on hand."
Courtesy of City of Columbia, Comprehensive Homeless Service Center Plan Report.
Plans for the Opportunity Campus include 75 beds that could expand to 100 if needed. The center would host showers, laundry, access to the internet, some transportation and is considering a limited medical clinic too.
Added in the report, VAC plans to work with Loaves and Fishes for meals in the evening, and a kitchen would be available for breakfast and lunch.
“We don't think that any family with kids should be on the curb in Columbia or living in their car,” Williams added. “We just believe that all people need a place to live… we're really hoping to have more opportunities to provide that type of experience.”
