ECHO Housing, Aurora selected for annual housing project

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - Two local homeless housing organizations have been selected to be apart of an annual event.

On Thursday, ECHO Housing and Aurora announced in a press release they were one of six Indiana groups to be selected for the 10th Indiana Supportive Housing Institute. According to the release, ECHO will serve as project lead, while Aurora will be involved in the case management services of this project.

Chris Metz, Echo Housing Executive Director said, “Unfortunately we know that every night when we lay our heads on our pillows, there are a number of individuals still sleeping in places not meant for human habitation.”

This project, according to the release, will create between 24-36 “permanent supportive housing units,” in Evansville.

“We are both honored and excited to be selected for the 10th Indiana Permanent Supportive Housing Institute. The opportunity to partner with Aurora to deliver supportive housing solutions to our community exemplifies the mission of ECHO Housing,” - Chris Metz.

According to the release, ECHO and Aurora will work the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Corporation for Supportive Housing in a series of training sessions as well as group exercises, which will help complete the project.

“This project reflects both the strong partnership between Aurora and ECHO Housing Corporation and our community’s shared commitment to reducing chronic homelessness. The Aurora team looks forward to providing the supportive services the project’s clients will need to be successfully housed and lead more productive, fulfilling lives,” Aurora Executive Director Timothy Weir said.

The focus of these housing units will be to address the issue of substance abuse in the community. Chris Metz said, “We know locally both through data and nationally that substance abuse disorders are a primary driver of homelessness. So we’ll be directing our efforts at that issue with this project.”

This is the second most recent development like this in the area. As we previously reported, Garvin Lofts were constructed with the same thought process.

“First of all, permanent housing that will be new construction. It will be efficient, it will be environmentally friendly. It will be on-site supportive services that Aurora, in this case will be delivering,” said Chris Metz.

This summer the teams will show their plans to a group of public and private investors.

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