Agreement signed for Johnson County Opportunity Center
PAINTSVILLE — The Johnson County Fiscal Court has approved a lease/purchase agreement for property located at 501 Jefferson Avenue in Paintsville and to partner with Mountain Comprehensive Care Center to operate the Johnson County Opportunity Center.
The center renovation has experienced some construction delays, but is expected to open in the coming months, according to a press release issued Dec. 22.
The facility will employee nine people and act as a bridge to help a person experiencing homelessness to find a successful path to permanent housing, the release said.
“The Johnson County Opportunity Center will provide a coordinated short-term solution for persons experiencing a crisis and need a place to sleep while also providing an opportunity to connect folks to services such as physical and behavioral healthcare, substance abuse treatment, benefit programs, housing solutions, employment services, and counseling,” Johnson County Judge-Executive Mark McKenzie said.
The layout of the three-story former hotel-turned-apartment building will provide the opportunity for non-congregate emergency sheltering, transitional housing, and veteran housing for all individuals regardless of gender or family size, according to the press release.
The city of Paintsville and other local agencies have agreed to partner with the county for future support of the project, the release said.
“Mountain Comprehensive Care Center is excited to partner with Johnson County to operate the Johnson County Opportunity Center,” Jacqueline Long, director of housing and grants for Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, said. “The center will help us to continue our existing efforts with individuals and families to move people into a sheltered situation where they can receive services to stabilize their situation and find a permanent housing solution.”
She said Johnson County has been “experiencing an above-average rate of homelessness over the recent year, and by putting this solution in place, the community as a whole will greatly benefit.”