(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
COFFEE … The Williams County Commissioners met at Seasons Coffee & Bistro for their morning session on: Thursday.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
During their Thursday, April 10th meeting, the Williams County Commissioners met at Seasons Coffee & Bistro in Bryan and discussed the lack of traditional housing in the county.
Jennifer Martin from Storehouse 4 Hope, an agency supporting those in need in Williams County, mentioned the area’s lack of affordable housing and asked the commissioners about potential projects or locations for traditional housing.
Commissioner Bart Westfall brought up a proposed multi-unit housing project in Stryker. Additionally, there was a discussion about a senior living complex proposed for Bryan.
Both developments are applying for state tax credits to support construction, but the consensus is that only one, if any, of the projects is likely to receive the funding.
There was also discussion about several other promising developments in the county, though they remain in the early planning stages.
“There’s a lot still up in the air right now, it’s just a matter of getting everything to come together,” said Ashley Epling, executive director of the Williams County Economic Development Corp. (WEDCO).
Epling expressed that the objective for the Bryan senior housing project is that, upon completion, the 52 units would alleviate housing shortages in other areas.
The agency is searching for traditional housing sites between Bryan and Montpelier, but Martin mentioned that zoning in Bryan itself is challenging.
Traditional housing aims to transition homeless individuals into permanent homes. The housing aims for residents to stay no longer than one year, with financial coaching and assistance in securing a steady income.
Martin works with Catholic Charities and Ohio Means Jobs to help people find employment, but other factors often need attention. The rent for this type of housing would be based on income and the ability to pay.
The agency seeks 12-20 units for single men, single women, single parents with children, and families.
Martin said that the agency does have an architect who has agreed to design the project at a reduced rate and that the agency plans on a capital campaign to fund it.
Darby Hildebrandt of Catholic Charities was also present and spoke about the number of people who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness and have required financial assistance, whether it be for rent, utilities, hotel stays, gas, clothing, or food.
Catholic Charities had a total of 40 assisted with Storehouse 4 Hope had 41 assisted as well. When those listed were cross-checked, the individuals did not overlap stated Martin, meaning a total of 81 individuals had been in need.
Martin mentioned that their agencies conduct point-in-time homeless counts, but these are often inaccurate because they cannot count people staying in hotels, shelters, or on someone’s couch.
Hildebrandt stated that those people are considered “housed for the night,” but they might not know where their next stay will be in 24 hours.
Commissioner Westfall stated that he appreciates all their work and they are blessed that they have people like them who are in the know.
Commissioner Scott Lirot added that he has people that come into his business all the time and that it is a hard thing to look at and see to those people out there every day. He questioned, “What do we do?”
Hildebrandt offered Lirot her business card to share with people who came into his business, so she could assist them in getting off the streets.
There was also a discussion regarding transportation to facilitate the commute of individuals to and from their jobs, enabling employment opportunities in different locations.
Currently, Bryan has a limited number of taxis but expecting them to transport individuals to work and return at a designated time for pick-up is impractical.
Epling mentioned that Henry County has shuttle bus and van transportation services, reportedly funded by a grant. She suggested that Williams County might need to consider similar options in the future.