Centerpointe will manage Lincoln’s first supportive housing project, which is being designed by Sinclair Hille Architects at the corner of Eighth and J streets, city officials announced Thursday. The $5.2 million, 24-unit apartment building will be located at 802 J St.
, and CenterPointe will offer wraparound services for a project city officials say is a big step toward functionally ending chronic homelessness -- the most vulnerable of the homeless population. Residents of the new housing project will be able to access pharmacy, counseling and health services at Centerpointe’s newly opened Campus for Health and WellBeing at the former site of Trabert Hall, 2202 S. 11th St.
, said Topher Hansen, CenterPointe chief executive. “This is a huge step forward in addressing some of the issues we face,” Hansen said. “Basic needs is where it all starts .
. . living without stable housing can drastically worsen health.
Homelessness can exacerbate mental illness and make ending problematic substance use very difficult and prevent chronic physical health conditions from being addressed.” CenterPointe case managers understand the intersectionality of homelessness, mental health and substance abuse issues well, he said. The non-profit offers similar supportive housing, but this will be the first city-run project.
While overall homelessness in Lincoln has decreased, the portion of the homeless population considered chronically homeless has increased from 12% to 24% over the past s.