MACON, Ga. — Several organizations are working to fight homelessness in Macon. River Edge Behavioral Health already built homes throughout the city to provide more affordable housing.
Now, they're nearly halfway done with their newest build and CEO, Cass Hatcher, said it's for a specific age group.
"This one is specifically targeted for seniors," Hatcher said.
The organization is building 26 homes to help fight homelessness, but people who live there must be eligible for a senior discount.
They're calling it the Serenity Courtyard of Macon. The project is located at 2918 Bloomfield Drive. Hatcher said the older generation deserves a nice place to stay.
"I kept saying I want to them to have their dignity and say they have their own space at one point in time they probably did, and probably for some event in their life they did not, and became homeless, so I wanted them to have that experience again as they move into their later years of life," Hatcher said.
Future tenants must be over 55 years old, homeless and disabled. Disabilities will be verified by the Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunity Council.
Hatcher said they wanted to build something for the people they work with often.
"So right now about 44% of the individuals we serve throughout River Edge are basically between the ages of 50 to 64 and so we saw a growing need," Hatcher said.
The idea for a senior housing project came to him after the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The pandemic was in mind because when I was thinking about this, I would say okay how can we build houses that would be best if we have another pandemic, how can people live together and still interact with each other," Hatcher said.
Hatcher said interaction is key for an older community, so they're building a courtyard between the homes.
"Highly decorated, a lot of green space, sitting areas. It's almost a walking trail from one end to the other, almost two football fields," Hatcher said.
He said the funding to start this project came from a $4.8 million dollar grant from the state.
"Then help from our friends the mayor and county commissioners. They put in another close to a million dollars. River Edge Foundation added another million and then the Community Foundation gave us some money as well so this is truly a mixed funded project," Hatcher said.
Hatcher said they plan to wrap up construction in December, but he said at their current pace the project could be done in October.
River Edge is also planning a grand opening for another project. The Tiny Cottages in East Macon will open June 21.