Friday June 23, 2023 at 3pm OCP “cut the ribbon” for two brand new efficiency units at 50 Reservoir St.
OCP purchased the building in 2021 with the assistance of “social housing investors” who made donations and low-interest, long-term loans so OCP could buy and renovate a small apartment building. In 2022 OCP obtained a grant for $118,000 from the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission to buildout the unfinished basement into two new efficiency apartments. OCP just completed this work and will celebrate with the public ribbon cutting. “We are so excited about this finally happening after years of work,” said Tim Cummings, OCP’s housing specialist and project manager.
The apartment building’s purpose is to house people who are homeless and hard to place in the private market due to barriers and personal challenges. OCP will provide supportive case management over the long-term to help people maintain their housing. Being owner, property manager, and case manager all in one, allows OCP to identify people in need, place those folks into housing despite many barriers, and then help them stay housed and not return to homelessness.
“I’m tickled to death to have one of my clients getting housing here,” said Amanda Morris, an OCP case manager. “It’s been so hard to find him a place, and because of his age and physical conditions he just can’t live on the street anymore.”
See WHSV TV’s news story on OCP’s new housing: https://www.whsv.com/2023/06/21/our-community-place-opening-two-efficiency-apartments/