Ground Breaking held at Saint Katharina Kasper Serenity Place
PLYMOUTH — A ground breaking ceremony was held Wednesday on location for the
Saint Katharina Kasper Serenity Place - a Garden Court Permanent Supportive Housing ( PSH) Project located in Plymouth. PSH is housing that provides permanent, afford
able housing with services that enable individuals to live stable, productive lives.
The project was named in honor and memory of Serenity Wilson who lost her life at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend in September 2015. At the time of Wilson’s unfortunate and untimely death, she was living at the Economy Inn in Plymouth; where people pay week-to-week for housing.
The results of a Homeless Point-in-time Count conducted in Marshall County further supported the need to provide housing for people who were without a stable home. A survey in 2016 conducted by volunteers revealed that twenty-six (26) children between the ages of one (1) month to fifteen (15) years old were living in the Economy Inn and Red Rock Inn.
Wilson’s grandmothers, Gina Williams and Deb Yenna were thanked for their permission to use her name for the project. A photograph of Wilson will be provided and displayed within the housing project to honor her memory.
Yenna said, “We are just glad that this is here. The day is here.”
Williams said, “Too bad things like this weren’t available then.”
Supportive housing differs from basic affordable housing in that it provides unique services, often available on site, that help individuals overcome barriers to productivity. Those services often include but are not limited to therapy and counseling services, case management, medical evaluation and treatment, educational opportunities, life-skill building opportunities, and job training.
Supportive housing, when managed properly, is cost-effective for communities. Stress is alleviated on emergency health care services, mental health services and law enforcement resources as individuals and families are provided with an opportunity to stabilize.
Supportive housing is reported as a more cost-effective response to homelessness than shelters.
Apartments are available for low income and extremely low income individuals and families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. Those individuals often face more than one barrier to sustainable, independent living. The lack of resources often limits opportunities to provide their children with the care free, stable childhood that all children deserve.
Tenants hold leases and pay rent; ideally no more than 30% of total household income goes to rent and utilities.
Bradley Company will provide property management services. The building consists of eighteen (18) units: four (4) one (1) bedroom units, ten (10) two (2) bedroom units, and four (4) three (3) bedroom units. Amenities also include management offices, conference and therapy spaces, a community room, activity room, fenced playground, a computer and reading room, community pantry, and supportive space allocations.
Bowen Center will provide case management, counseling and therapy services. Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) will provide health care. Plymouth Community School Corporation ( PCSC) will provide adult education classes. The Marshall County Neighborhood Center, under the leadership of Director Christine “Chris” Garner, will assist to coordinate referrals.
The construction cost of the project was budgeted at $2.9 million. R Yoder Construction of Nappanee is the General Contractor with a bid of $2,797,000.
The project was partially grant funded from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). $1,000,000.00 from the Home Fund and $1,187,000 from the IHCDA Trust Fund.
The project was also awarded $500,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI).
The City of Plymouth has allocated $300,000 to support the project.
The balance of the funding will come from a variety of local sources to include but not limited to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Ministry and the Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF).