LISBON Complex to house troubled women

State and federal grants are paying for most of the undertaking.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Work is expected to begin in early June on a $1.2 million apartment complex that will provide homes to women who are trying to overcome substance abuse.
The project is being undertaken by Family Recovery Center, a Lisbon-based, nonprofit social services agency.
Plans call for building a 10-apartment structure in a commercial area along Rose Drive on the village's north side.
The recovery center took up the project after determining that many Columbiana County women need a place to stay while trying to recover from alcohol or drug addiction, said Maryann Theiss, an administrative assistant at the recovery center.
Construction will take about a year to complete.
How this works: Among the women who will qualify to stay at the one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments will be those who are homeless, or just getting out of jail, battered women's shelters or long-term substance abuse treatment centers.
Their children also may live at the complex.
Maximum stay will be two years, during which occupants' rent will be based on their ability to pay.
During their time at the complex, the women will receive help in overcoming substance abuse and guidance in matters such as development of job and parenting skills. Day care also will be provided.
The recovery center's goal is to help women become mentally and physically healthy as well as independent, Theiss explained.
There is a similar need for housing for area men faced with substance abuse problems, Theiss said. But the recovery center decided to build a facility for women because their needs are often more acute, especially when they have children in their care, she added.
Funding: To fund construction, the recovery center landed more than $1 million in state and federal grants.
The agency also is taking out a $100,000 commercial loan that it will pay back at 9 percent interest over 15 years.
In addition to construction funds, the recovery center also obtained a $200,000 a year, renewable federal grant that will be used to help operate the apartment complex.
The facility will be called Fleming House, after Luceille Fleming, director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.