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Housing project in Yuba City to aid homeless, mentally ill

Appeal-Democrat - 7/12/2017

July 12--A nearly $11 million apartment complex for homeless people and seriously mentally ill individuals is in the early phases of consideration.

The proposed 42-unit rental development, called the Richland Permanent Supportive Housing Project, is in a 30-day public review period.

Dr. Tony Hobson, assistant director for Health and Human Services, Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health, said the project quickly came together and was first discussed three months ago.

"There is a lot of people in both counties invested in helping the homeless community," Hobson said. "This is the piece we don't have, available housing for those individuals."

At 448 Garden Highway in Yuba City, the complex would be include studio and one-bedroom units, according to the project description.

Construction would take place on .68 acres, which was dedicated a month earlier by the commissioners of the Regional Housing Authority of Sutter and Nevada counties.

Hobson said officials with the Housing Authority and Sutter and Yuba counties sought to leverage funds available through the No Place Like Home state-program.

According to the project's development summary, the estimated total project cost is $10.7 million.

With $1.2 million designated for homeless housing projects through No Place Like Home, remaining funding includes $1.6 million from the Mental Health Service Act, 9 percent tax credit financing and additional state grants.

Hobson did not want to speculate what comments or grievances people may have before an Aug. 7 public hearing.

Construction of the project should help to address the homelessness issues both counties face.

Sutter County Supervisor Mat Conant, who sits on the Sutter-Yuba Mental Health Advisory Board, is hopeful construction of the project is a start in the right direction.

"It's great to see this coming together," Conant said. "There have been talks for years about something like this. I don't know how many homeless we have in the county, and sometimes it's difficult to know what to do."

The complex would house individuals with varying levels of ability, ranging from those who can work or need complete assistance in affording rent.

Each of the units would be attached to Section 8 vouchers, the program administered through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist low-income individuals.

A variety of funding would be sought to address rental costs for individuals unable to work.

If the project moves forward, construction is projected to begin in the winter of 2018. Available units for occupancy are expected a year later.

Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health Department will hold two community information sessions regarding the Richland Permanent Supportive Housing Project:

-- Yuba County will host a session from 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m. tonight.

The session will be at the Yuba County Government Center in the Wheatland Room, 915 Eighth St., Marysville.

-- Sutter County will host a session from 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m. Thursday.

The session will be held at the Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health Valley Oak Conference Room, 1965 Live Oak Blvd, Suite A, Yuba City.

The proposed Richland Permanent Supportive Housing Project includes a concerted effort to help tenants through a range of services.

The 42-unit apartment complex will include on-site case management offices.

"This is huge," said Dr. Tony Hobson, assistant director for Health and Human Services, Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health. "For those who want the help, they will be wrapped up in services."

According to the project description, this will provide individualized supportive services to individuals trying to restore their lives.

Programs from supportive services range from assessment and evaluation, emergency assistance with food, skills development, addiction disorder treatment, to employment services.

Detailed in the project description, the complex intends to provide the services of a psychiatrist, nurse, social workers, and counselors in what is described as a multi-disciplinary team.

The report indicates the services will be administered on a voluntary basis.

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