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Housing for homeless and low-income residents is coming soon to west Springfield thanks to a local nonprofit organization. KSMU’s Kaitlyn Schwers has the story.
The Kitchenformally started its latest project today, breaking ground for Beacon Village, an affordable housing complex that will hold at least 60 units.
Among other things, the organization is known for offering temporary shelter at the Missouri Hotel, but Beacon Village will provide permanent housing for those who need it.
Kitchen Chief Executive Officer Rorie Oregeron says the complex is primarily being funded through tax credits.
“When the whole complex is finished with the first phase and the second phase, it will be somewhere around 60 or 65 housing units that will be here, and because of the tax credits and low income housing tax credits that we have, there are certain qualifications that have to be met for the people to move in here and those qualifications are put together by Missouri Housing Development Corporation,” Oregeron explained.
The Kitchen is also partnering with Catholic Charities of Southern Missourion the project. Upon completion, Catholic Charities will provide residents with help and resources on site.
Maura Taylor is the organization’s executive director.
“Our part, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri’s part in this project, is for those families that are residing in the low income rentals, we’ll be offering what we call a family coordinator on site to assist those families in getting services and resources that they may need, such as financial budgeting classes, parenting classes, community networking—how to get them involved in the community,” she said.
Beacon Village is scheduled to be completed by next spring. It will be located on West Helen Street off of Chestnut Expressway.