Local recovery group seeks $60,000 to convert church into transitional housing; council expresses financial and certification concerns

A representative of Foundations (S3) outlined plans to remodel a church building in Westport into transitional and step-down housing and asked the county advisory council for financial help. S3 described a space with a combination of single and two-person rooms, a live-in cost manager and program rules including random drug screens and employment requirements for residents. "We'll be adding 12 more beds," S3 said when describing the facility capacity.

S3 also reviewed the organization's recent finances and certification status: the foundation reported an account balance of $11,615.50 and said Recovery Works funding had dropped to $22 per day, creating a cash shortfall that left the organization without reimbursements for an extended period. S3 said the foundation is working on recertification and hopes to be certified within about 90 days; county members raised questions about renovating a privately owned building and about the project's long-term operating funding. The council did not grant the $60,000 immediately and voted to table consideration until the foundation produces Recovery Works certification.