Groundbreaking held for new supportive housing units

CHILLICOTHE― New permanent supportive housing is coming to the area as the McArthur Gardens Permanent Supportive Housing has officially broken ground.

This project, funded by Integrated Services for Behavioral Health and other partners, aims to bring more supporting resources to the Ross County community. It is also the first permanent supportive housing unit in the county.

The housing unit will feature 32 one-room apartment units with common amenities and private outdoor space. These units are for those who are either chronically homeless or at risk of becoming chronically homeless. The first of these units are expected to be available during the Fall of next year with construction being completed on all units by the spring of 2024.

The facility will be on Columbus Street in Chillicothe. The location is the former home of the McArthur School Building which closed in 2004 and was demolished.

The groundbreaking celebration featured community members, financial partners, the police department and construction workers. Several people spoke at the podium on-site thanking all those who were involved. Becky Neubauer Eddy, COO of Groundworks at Integrated services, said she was grateful for the support of not only the financial backers but also the community. She says everyone she talks to has been very supportive of this project which will ultimately help bring safety and stability to those in the area,

"Today is a day really filled with gratitude," said Neubauer Eddy. "We are thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of McArthur Gardens."

Police Chief Ron Meyers said the department fully supports this project as it helps bring more resources to the community. The department can then use these resources to help those in need. He said projects like this one is what the city needs more of.

Penny Dehner, Executive Director of the Paint Valley ADAMH Board, said this project took "vision, persistence and collaboration." She told the story of how the project go to where it is today with these three principles, everything from the vision of purchasing the land to the collaboration between groups to make everything happen years later.

"Together we can, and do, make a difference," said Dehner.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_