Feds give $306K to provide housing for mentally ill
Copyright © 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
SKOWHEGAN — The federal government has approved a $306,000 grant to provide housing for the mentally ill here, but another $450,000 is still needed to make the project happen.
The Kennebec Valley Mental Health Agency received notice of the grant award this week, said Morna Pederson-Rambo, the Waterville-based agency's chief executive officer.
The $306,000 will help buy and renovate an apartment house on Mt. Pleasant Avenue to provide supported living for mentally ill people, where staff members provide help and education.
The agency hopes the Maine State Housing Authority will put up the rest of the $455,000 cost, and provide another $300,000 to buy and renovate another building on the same street for transitional housing for mentally ill people.
Pederson-Rambo said the federal grant is a boost for a project that had been stalled for lack of funds.
The agency secured an option on the two buildings on the south side of town almost a year ago, but put the project on the back burner because of lack of funds.
"Things went into a slow mode because of the insecurity of state funding" stemming from the state government's growing budget shortfall, said Pederson-Rambo.
"With the federal funds being committed that may move it along because one of the key players has indicated their support of the project."
In fact, things moved so slowly the agency's options on the properties ran out and officials had to renegotiate them.
The supported living apartment building would have eight apartment units for people who suffer from mental illness. Staff would also be on the premises to provide services to occupants.
The building devoted to transitional housing would have six apartments. Transitional housing is intended to ready occupants to become more independent.
Though Kennebec Valley Mental Health does have some independent housing in Skowhegan, it does not have any supported living or transitional housing.
Pederson-Rambo said the agency considers the two proposed apartment housing projects part of the same package and would not plan to move ahead if there was money available for only one.
The buildings will require extensive renovation and will probably not be ready for tenants to move in until next summer at the earliest, she said.
When the agency first proposed to buy the buildings late last year neighborhood residents were opposed. They worried that mentally ill tenants might be dangerous.
Since then, however, the neighborhood has become more comfortable with the idea, thanks to better communication about who will be served by the project, according to Town Manager Patricia A. Dickey.
Dickey said Thursday she has offered to hold more meetings with neighborhood residents on the issue.
Dickey says Skowhegan, as a regional service center, needs to have more housing options available for those with mental illness.
"I think we need them. We're putting more and more people with disabilities out in the community. We need to provide for them and put them in safe environments," Dickey said. "Just to throw people out to walk the streets isn't the answer. I think this is a move in the right direction."
Joe Rankin — 474-9534 jrankin@centralmaine.com