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<br /> 82 <br />the neighbors. She said she thinks when the project is complete that the neighborhood <br />will see it as an asset. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Smith, Community Services Housing, presented Council with an <br />inventory of properties owned by CSH. He said the original plan was to finance the <br />Mews project with a traditional mortgage, but that was not possible. He said tax credits <br />will be used and will allow them to be more flexible. He presented a new design for the <br />building. He said they are anxious to get moving and to provide good, stable housing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Joe Samuels, Community Services Housing, presented the landscape plan <br />which he said he thinks roughly meets with neighborhood approval. He said this will <br />require a site plan change. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caruso Brown, Interim Executive Director of Region Ten, said he is available <br />for questions. He said the need for housing is urgent in our community. <br /> <br /> Mr. Reed Banks, Director of Mental Health Services for Region Ten, said he is <br />pleased at the prospect of quality affordable housing which will be used for clients who <br />are Charlottesville residents now. He said as needed the occupants will be assisted by <br />Region Ten staff. He said Region Ten has tried to remain cognizant of neighborhood <br />concerns. He said each resident will have a case manager and there will be two onsite <br />resident managers and a program director will be on call. He listed residential support <br />provided by Region Ten in surrounding counties, and said that Region Ten has several <br />satellite offices now. He said the original plan called for an office on site, and Region <br />Ten is still open to that if it is possible to do. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked about the change to have two resident managers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Banks said it was always the plan to have peer counselors on site. He said the <br />tax credits required 100% residency by those who meet qualifications. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati about how many Region Ten clients <br />live in Charlottesville, Mr. Banks said the caseload is 400 to 500 people, and 200 receive <br />residential support. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton asked about the nature of the clientele, and Mr. Banks said that <br />residents of the project must be income eligible and have a disability. He said those <br />clients referred by Region Ten must be in significant recovery from a mental illness and <br />able to live independently. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said the term “warehoused” has been used by the neighborhood. <br />She said she is happy to hear support expressed for the residents. She asked about the <br />impact of the transition to a new Director of Region Ten. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caruso Brown said the plan is for Region Ten to go forward and there should <br />be no impact. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Samuels said that a healing <br />garden is a place for people to go and be contemplative. <br /> <br /> Ms. Carol Johnston, Region Ten Board member, said the Board has full <br />confidence in Caruso Brown to lead in the transition period. She said the Region Ten <br />organization is extremely strong. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Mr. Smith said that the new building <br />proposed will house 16 new units. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked about improvements made to the design of the building since the <br />forum with the neighborhood and the cost of those improvements. <br /> <br /> Mr. Smith said there has been new elevations at a cost of $200,000 and <br />landscaping at a cost of $100,000. <br /> <br /> <br />