Release Date: Sep 4, 2007
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Summary:
Dayton, OH, A partnership between Montgomery County, The City of Dayton, Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority (DMHA) and many community partners will bring 57 chronically homeless people into supportive public housing as part of the Homeless Solutions Community Ten-Year Plan.  In the first week of September 57 homeless men and women will move into supportive public housing at River Commons (formerly known as the Helena Hi-Rise), the building is owned and operated by the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority.  "This is a fantastic opportunity to help reduce the number of homeless individuals in our County.  Through the housing of these 57 individuals, we are taking a major step in solving the homeless problems facing us," remarked County Commission President Deborah A. Lieberman.
Partial renovations including heating, electric, plumbing, painting and remodeling of the first floor were done with money from Montgomery County, the City of Dayton and the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority.  The building is newly opened as supportive public housing that features housing for homeless single adults who need support to stay housed and work towards self-sufficiency.  On-site social services will be provided by The Other Place, residents will receive help in finding a job and accessing health care and other services.  "We are pleased and proud that various organizations representing this region have come together to make this project possible," Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said.  "Homelessness is an issue that affects every part of our regional community in some way, so it is critical that we all play a joint role in helping to solve the problem.  River Commons is a creative, fresh approach to not only meeting the immediate housing needs of our homeless citizens, but also providing the valuable support services they need to live more fruitful and productive lives".
With representatives from local neighborhood and business organizations, the partners who have contributed to the development of River Commons created a Good Neighbor Agreement.  The Agreement outlines the expectations of the residents and the property, and commits to monthly meetings to discuss the relationship of the project to the community.  "DMHA is delighted with our partnership with the City of Dayton and Montgomery County," remarked Greg Johnson, DMHA Executive Director.  "This is the first of many projects, as we move forward in implementing the Ten-Year Plan: DMHA, as the leader in providing affordable housing in Montgomery County looks forward to continuing the efforts on implementation of the Ten-Year Plan.  This project shows how precious partnerships are in our community as we address together a great need in Montgomery County.  As I mentioned before, we are delighted to be part of this combined effort".

The River Commons project provides the first housing units developed under the Homeless Solutions Community 10-Year Plan that was adopted in June 2006 by Montgomery County, the City of Dayton and the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area.  The Plan recommends the development of 750 units of housing with supportive services to meet the housing needs of people who have not been able to exit homelessness on their own.  Furnishing and supplies for the units were donated by the community.