The City of Oklahoma City sends this information as posted beow:
Veterans experiencing homelessness will soon have a new permanent housing option thanks to Oklahoma City Housing Authority (OCHA) and MAPS 4.
Dorset Place, located at the intersection of 122nd St., N.W. and Dorset Dr., will provide 70 new units of supportive housing for veterans in Oklahoma City. The former assisted living facility was purchased by OCHA’s nonprofit arm, the Community Enhancement Corporation, with the express goal of providing permanent supportive housing for veterans and their immediate family members.
“MAPS 4 includes more than $55 million to invest in truly affordable housing,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “This investment, accompanied by wrap-around services from existing providers, aligns with the City’s efforts to implement a ‘housing first’ strategy. We look forward to completing this project, which will meet a critical need for our community.”
Phase 1 of the project will provide 37 units and is expected to open in fall 2025. Phase 2, with an additional 33 units, is expected to open at a later date.
“We’re proud to soon be opening the doors on the first of many MAPS 4 Homelessness projects,” Mark Gillett, President and CEO of the Community Enhancement Corporation, said. “In our community, we have people who served our country and need an affordable place to live. This is Oklahoma City’s opportunity to give back.”
Veterans at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness will be offered Dorset Place as one of their options to move into permanent housing. Vouchers issued by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by OCHA, are partnering with Oklahoma City’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) office to ensure that the veteran household pays no more than 30% of their income for rent.
“Key to Home is excited that additional support housing is being added to our community,” Homeless Strategy Implementation Manager Jamie Caves said.
The investment in Dorset Place includes $1.5 million in MAPS 4 Homelessness funds.
About MAPS 4
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $1.07 billion over eight years. Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028. More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implementation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4. The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust developed a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for MAPS 4 projects’ operational expenses and maintenance. Visit okc.gov/maps4 for more.
About OCHA
The Oklahoma City Housing Authority was established in 1965 and is dedicated to one purpose: providing clean, safe and decent housing for low-income families and senior citizens of Oklahoma City. OCHA serves approximately 7,000 households in Oklahoma City, currently owns 3,424 housing units and administers approximately 4,100 housing vouchers to residents.
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