Update on ARCH

Since I was on the board of directors of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens when all of this got started, I've been very interested in seeing the progression of the redevelopment of the Navy School site and the launching of the Athens Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH). ARCH is comprised of five non-profit organizations in the community - IHN of Athens, Athens-Oconee CASA, Athens Area Homeless Shelter, AIDS Athens and Advantage Behavorial - with each organization providing one element of needed service for homeless and low-income families/individuals.

While our executive director at the time handled the majority of the tasks related to ARCH, it was something that, in theory and principle, I supported very strongly and still do today.

As the Navy School prepares to close its doors within the next two years, I thought it would be appropriate to see what progress ARCH had made, as well as address what has been one persistent rumor regarding the organization. For the past few months, I have heard repeatedly, from folks affiliated with the partner organizations and outside ARCH but in the non-profit sector, that CASA was having to bow out of the partnership. The argument was that the organization wasn't serving enough of the targeted population to qualify for the reuse of facilities.

This rumor, though coming from reliable sources, is vehemently denied by Christian Orobello, the executive director of CASA, as well as Laurie Wilburn Bailey of Advantage Behavorial who is also serving as the chair of ARCH's steering committee right now. Evan Mills of Athens-Clarke County's Human and Economic Development office also denied CASA's withdrawal.

Said Wilburn Bailey ...

Yes, as Christian and I both stated to you before, CASA is still a member of ARCH
and we still intend to build the crisis home for kids-managed/runby CASA-as
originally proposed in the notices of interest. ... I'm not sure to whom you are
speaking, but their information is incorrect. Please feel free to refer them to me
if they have any questions. Obviously, as members of ARCH we have the most knowledge
about this effort. There's been a lot of legalise regarding this project from the
beginning that has resulted in changes to different documents, however we are still
on track to provide all of the services as originally proposed.

Wilburn Bailey added that even though the Local Redevelopment Authority has approved the plan for ARCH - which would get a payment for the acquisition and maintenance of property equal to the amount of space they requested from the Navy School site - the group is still awaiting official approval from the federal government.

Mills echoed those thoughts ...

CASA is still an active member of ARCH and we are still planning to go ahead with the children shelter as part of the LRA approved plan. As you may be aware, HUD is, as always, very slow moving and in light of all of this stimulus activity they are extremely busy, however, we are expecting them to approve our plan and will be moving forward as soon as we get official approval.

Wilburn Bailey said ARCH is also working to identify individuals not connected with any of the five partner agencies to serve on an advisory board to incorporate more community input and expertise. In addition, she said that the group was working to jointly identify sources of funding through grants and other revenue streams to fund the programs once ARCH launches (as the money provided only goes toward the property and not personnel or operations).

The Athens Homeless Property Corporation, the second non-profit set up to find the property, hire the builder, etc., has been meeting regularly and working to identify a site for the facilities. There had initially been some discussion about breaking up the five components in a variety of locations, but the primary intent as of now to find a central location for all five services to be offered.