$11M home for homeless opens

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DAYTON — Efforts to reduce homelessness in Montgomery County took a leap forward Monday with the opening of River Commons II, an 83 unit- apartment complex that will feature on-site support services.

“This building says, ‘home,’ ” said Walt Hibner, co-chairman of the Homeless Solutions Policy Board.

“It’s where people want to live,” he said.

The three-story building on five acres cost about $11 million to build. The goal of the development is to move homeless individuals into permanent residences, officials said.

“A lot of community partners came together to make this happen,” said Stephen D. Naas, president of CountyCorp, which co-owns and co-developed the building with HomeStart, Inc.

Miami Valley Housing opportunities will manage the property, at 144 Helena St. in Dayton. Homefull, the county agency that works to end homelessness, will also provide case management.

Twenty-one families from the adjacent River Commons — an obsolete building that will be demolished — will begin moving in this week, including Derrick and Nikki Harris.

The couple got their first glimpse inside their new home Monday.

“There’s no comparing the two buildings,” said Nikki Harris, who marveled at the size of rooms and new appliances. “We’ve been ready to move.”

Project funding came from a combination of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, a Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program grant, low income tax credits along with contributions from the city, Montgomery County and CountyCorp.

Rent in River Commons II will be subsidized by Section 8 housing choice vouchers through Greater Dayton Premier Management, formerly DMHA.