(Photo: Chris Miller)
A new 68-unit housing development on Vernon Odom Boulevard will offer hope for residents facing homelessness. Stoney Pointe Commons, located near Romig Road, offers permanent supportive housing, which pairs housing with case management, counseling and other services, for people who are chronically homeless, along with those with disabilities.
The project was spearheaded by Todd Tober, president of Tober Building Company, who said the development has been in the works for three years. The apartments are about 600 square feet, and the building will have 24-hour front desk staff, along with social services, a computer lab, training kitchen and on-site laundry.
Tober spoke at a ribbon-cutting held Thursday, which also included Community Support Services, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), Salvation Army of Summit County and other area partners.
“This kind of investment is sorely needed in the community,” said Tony O’Leary, executive director of AMHA, who reminded attendees that there are currently 20,000 people on a waiting list for affordable housing in Summit County, but there are only 10,000 units available.
Nationally, the situation is more dire: for every 100 people seeking affordable housing, there are only 38 available units, and the ratio’s worse for people with disabilities, O’Leary added.
The $11 million project, which was built using tax credits, grants and other forms of financing, had its share of challenges, including nearby residents who initially opposed the development. And at the ribbon-cutting, Tober said work has already begun on a Phase II.
For info about the project, visit www.toberbuilding.com.
