1st look at $9M Tri-Cities recovery center housing. Construction begins soon
The Tri-Cities’ first public recovery center just opened last month, but Benton County is already getting started on a major project for its second phase.
The county has secured permits for a new $9 million recovery housing project to help patients at the recovery center transition to sober living. It could be open as soon as next year.
It will be a standalone 11,400-square-foot building on the corner of the lot at the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery.
The idea of the project is to provide a place for patients to transition to independent living, where they will have convenient access to addiction treatment and mental health services.
Benton County shared a first look at the new designs with the Tri-City Herald.
The project will consist of a single building with common areas in the center and apartments in wings on either side.
There will be 18 double-occupancy units, separated for men and women with a courtyard. Each side will have its own common areas, which will include a lobby, kitchen, dining, offices for managers, laundry and more.
How was it paid for?
Altogether more than $9 million has now been secured for the Three Rivers Recovery Housing Project. That may not end up being the final name though, as the initial name for the recovery center changed to avoid confusion with other businesses.
The money came from Benton County, Washington state and federal funding sources. Local state lawmakers and the Tri-Cities’ congressional delegation fought to bring in about $3 million each.
The county shifted from building 17 double-occupancy apartments on the second floor of the old Kennewick General Hospital to build freestanding housing on the corner of the old Kennewick General Hospital campus near the city’s athletic fields.
That approach saved an estimated $3 million, and allowed the county to get started on planning before knowing if the congressional funding was going to be approved. The county spent about $2 million getting the project planned and ready to build.
Last year, the Otness family donated $1.1 million for commercial kitchen and dining areas for the project.
Who is it for?
Seasons Housing will operate the program as part of “Phase 2” of the recovery center. The nonprofit operates several smaller recovery houses around the Tri-Cities.
Rent will be based on HUD fair market rates for the county, and Seasons will be able to help residents navigate rental assistance programs through the county if needed.
The units are intended to be available for people in recovery as they go through their programs and find stable housing.
Most will stay one to two years. It’s similar to some of the longer term housing that the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission offers.
While the housing is not specifically for people experiencing homelessness, many of the people they serve will likely be either unhoused or have unstable housing.
