LEBANON, Pa. — It might not look like it yet, but members of the Lebanon County Community will soon call 39 North 12 Street home.
The Housing & Renovation Authority will be remodeling the property, in partnership with the county Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention (MH/ID/EI) office. The building will have shared spaces, as well as individual bedrooms, to house three transition-age youths.
Housing Authority Executive Director Karen Raugh says the space will teach them valuable lessons.
"They have 12 to 18 months to learn some of those skills that they’re going to need to get them to that permanent housing," Raugh said.
Transitional youths are adults between the ages of 18 and 24 years old who are coming out of any type of temporary housing; these youths are also at the center of Holly Leahy’s work at the MH/ID/EI office.
She says many struggle with mental illness and/or substance abuse, and typically come from other temporary living situations.
"They really haven't had the opportunity in our community to learn those independent living skills," Leahy said. "They need a lot of support to be successful in our community."
Tenants will pay no more than 30% of their monthly income for rent, all while having a staff on hand to support their success.
"We can boost where they are and give them that great foundation," Leahy explained. "That's why they are so important to us, as are all of the folks that we serve here in our community."
The project is set to launch as soon as July, with hopes of helping others with the rest of their lives.
"It’ll be ready for the youth to come in and just feel like they have a place to call home," Raugh said.
The project is estimated to cost between $300,000 to $400,000.
Leahy says it will be paid entirely by capital project funding through the Pa. Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.