State to fund area housing for mentally ill.

Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard

Social service agencies will receive nearly $2.1 million to provide housing for people in Lane County with mental illnesses, the state Department of Human Services has announced.

The grant is part of $13 million awarded by the department to agencies throughout the state to develop supportive living arrangements for 307 people with mental illness, said Bob Nikkel, DHS assistant director for addictions and mental health.

Such people range from young adults and homeless people, to people ready for discharge from state psychiatric hospitals, he said.

The money will "expand our array of supportive living options all over the state for people with mental illness," Nikkel said. "I'm pleased to support new residential facilities in areas where we have fewer resources, which moves us toward a more equitable distribution of community resources for people safely leaving our state facilities."

Of the $2.07 million earmarked for Lane County, $1.22 million is reserved for Shangra-La, a Salem-based social service provider, to build a pair of residential treatment homes in Lane County.

Shangra-La Chief Executive Jan Kral could not be reached for immediate comment to learn where the nonprofit agency plans to build the homes.

Other social service agencies in Lane County that are to receive funds to help with mental health housing efforts are: Brethren Community Services, $75,000; Empowerment Services, $156,300; Laurel Hill Center, $248,006; ShelterCare, $372,823.

The state grants will provide structured and specialized housing for people with histories of mental health commitments, Nikkel said.

The money also will provide supported and independent housing for people with persistent mental illnesses and other serious mental health conditions.

The state agency said there is an enormous need for housing for people with mental illness.

A survey by the agency in 2005 found that there were 1,940 people in Oregon in immediate need of mental health supportive housing, and 577 were waiting for structured or specialized residential accommodations.

In the biennium that ended June 30, the agency helped develop 42 housing projects in 21 counties, creating additional housing for 361 people who have mental illness.