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<br /> 83 <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he appreciates the work done on the proposed project, but said he <br />has a number of concerns. He said his main concern is is this the right type of mix of <br />housing. He said the State has moved away from warehousing and has dispersed <br />mentally ill patients. He said this seems to be a concentration in a single space. He asked <br />if Region Ten can manage 40 clients who have diverse needs in one place. He said we <br />need to know what assurances there are that it will be properly managed. He asked if <br />there is a way to have a paid employee on site. <br /> <br /> Ms. Smith said there will be significant oversight of the project for 15 years <br />because of the tax credits. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caruso Brown said that most of those targeted for this housing will be those <br />recovering from psychiatric illness, not mental retardation or substance abuse. He said <br />Region Ten is looking at the level of care appropriate for the level of need. He said these <br />clients will be deemed able to live in this environment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked about the possibility of staff in an adjacent building. <br /> Mr. Banks said this type of housing with supports is not a new model. He said <br />these people will not need 24 hour supervision. He said five professional counselors will <br />be available during the day based on need. He said we are not talking about a warehouse. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that he has been told that this would be the most dense housing <br />of this type in the state. <br /> <br /> Mr. Banks said they have had more than 40 people in one block because that is <br />where they can afford to live. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that at the same time this property is being developed, Region Ten <br />is also developing property off Old Lynchburg Road which will be rented at market rates. <br />He said if the need for beds is so desperate what is the rationale for renting those at <br />market rates and the project in the City below market rates. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caruso Brown said that when Region Ten bought Mountainwood they needed <br />the market rent to pay the mortgage. He said they could not have afforded to buy it if <br />they could not get those rates. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that half of the units at Little High Street could be market rate and <br />half for clients which would create a diverse situation. He said he understands the issues <br />with tax credits, but feels that is sort of an excuse. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that as a member of the Housing Authority she understands <br />that a lot of these decision are driven by financial packages. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if Region Ten is planning to redevelop Mountainwood for <br />additional housing, and Mr. Caruso Brown said that is possible, but there is no detailed <br />thinking about it at this time. He said it was acquired as an investment in the future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked what the impact would be on Community Services Housing if <br />Council says it will not support the Mews project and takes action to prevent its <br />development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Smith said he has not thought that through, but said it would be very <br />damaging financially and they would likely have to sell some properties. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that City residents make up 20% of the population of Region Ten <br />clients, but 80% of the client base is housed in the City. He asked how Region Ten will <br />address the fact that the City is taking care of a disportionate number of the population <br />over time. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />