Ribbon Cutting Is Thursday – Affordable Housing For Homeless And Disabled [YouTube]
"We can do a lot of talking about it, but it's important to just go out and do it," said Patty Kent about the ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Thursday at the John Lynn Apartments.
Kent, Director of Housing and Development for the Western Montana Mental Health Center, was referring to the effort to end homelessness in 10 years, and that a coalition of organizations completed the eight-apartment complex on Dakota Street in central Missoula.
"The John Lynn apartments are permanent housing for people who are homeless, and or have disabilities," Kent said. "They're named in memory of John Lynn, who worked for many years in the Mental Health Center. For 33 years, he dedicated his entire career and was a wonderful coworker and friend."
Kent said funding came from several agencies.
"The city and the county were both tremendously helpful in getting the project finished," she said. "Construction costs were just over $650,000 for the eight units.It's a testament to all that the city and county are doing to take care of all the members of our community."
The ribbon cutting will be Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. at the John Lynn Apartments, located at 1347 Dakota Street . Speaking at the event will be Missoula Mayor John Engen and County Commissioner Jeanne Curtiss, along with family and friends of the late John Lynne, who died in 2013.