Pair of area affordable housing projects conclude

While one new Ozarks-area affordable housing project in Marshfield is on the verge of welcoming its first residents, another is nearing capacity in Mount Vernon, according to officials.

In Marshfield, June 23 marks opening day for renters at Jordan’s Place, a 40-unit housing development for adults with disabilities and senior citizens at 1042 W. Washington St. The next day, officials behind Mountaintop Homes, a 42-unit affordable housing development in Mount Vernon, have scheduled a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration.

The Mount Vernon housing community is designed for homeless and at-risk veterans, as well as families of varying incomes. O’Reilly Build LLC, a subsidiary of O’Reilly Development Co. LLC, was general contractor for Mountaintop Homes, which has three residential buildings along with an office and community facility comprising its 42,808 square feet, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Designed by Kansas City-based Stark Wilson Duncan Architects Inc., all buildings have a mix of two- and three-bedroom units in a two-level townhouse model.

Groundbreaking for Mountaintop Homes was held in October 2023. Washington-based HRM Services LLC serves as property manager and Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri Inc. provides a housing case manager for the development, said Ken Palermo, CEO of the Springfield-based nonprofit. The 11.4-acre development is at 1516 S. McCanse St., located north of Interstate 44 near the Mount Vernon City Cemetery and the Missouri Veterans Commission facility.

“After assisting with housing applications and follow-up, our team will remain available to residents in need of services, including referrals to other providers,” Palermo said via email, noting the project’s partners envisioned, planned and implemented a “nearly flawless effort.”

He added, “The partnership of developers, contractors, funders, government entities and CCSOMO sets forth a model of collaboration that directly benefits those in need and the community.”

Officials declined to disclose project costs, but said it is being funded through state and federal low-income tax credits, according to past reporting.

O’Reilly Development Co. is familiar with tax credits, as it also has previously utilized them for other affordable housing projects over the past several years, such as Forest Park North Apartments in Joplin, Tower Village in Lebanon and James Place in Springfield, according to past reporting.

Marty Duda, development project manager with O’Reilly Development Co., said via email leasing efforts for Mountaintop Homes have been successful, adding residents began moving in March 27. Only a handful of units remain available, he said.

“As of today, 36 out of the 42 units are occupied, with applications currently being processed for the remaining six,” Duda said June 17. “According to the operations team, we are on track to reach full occupancy by the end of June.”

Duda credits strong local housing demand and the dedication and professionalism of HRM Services among factors for the development’s rapid lease-up.

Jordan’s Place preparation
The first residents are yet to occupy Jordan’s Place but officials with the Marshfield affordable housing development say there’s already a waiting list.

A May 2 ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the 6-acre development adjacent to a Mercy clinic near the intersection of Spur Drive and Highway OO.

 Jackson-based RCH Development Inc. was general contractor for the roughly $9.7 million project designed by Columbia-based Wallace Architects LLC.

A pair of Webster County-based nonprofits, WC Partners and WC CapeAbilities, have worked to develop the project over the past several years.

WC Partners, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides support for county residents with developmental disabilities and their families. That support includes case management services through a private contract with the Missouri Department of Mental Health with the goal of providing clients with the aid needed to live and work in the community.

WC CapeAbilities, another 501(c)(3), was organized by WC Partners in 2021 to work with the Missouri Housing Development Commission to increase accessible housing availability within the county.

The facility’s opening has added significance for Joyce Fenner, chair of WC CapeAbilities. Its name is a tribute to her son, Jordan Estes-Fenner, who died by suicide in 2015.

“It’s just bigger than I thought it could be,” Fenner said of the project. “For me, when they put up the sign that said Jordan’s Place, that was the big day for me. Seeing our son will be forever remembered there was pretty special.”

Weather played a role in the delayed opening of Jordan’s Place, Fenner said.

“Because of all the rain, we didn’t have all the landscaping done yet, so with the big equipment coming in and out, the city didn’t want anybody moving in,” she said.

All 40 units have two bedrooms and one bathroom while a few have expanded handicap accessibility, such as a roll-in shower, according to officials. They also have open floor plans and meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Additionally, the 865-square-foot units are fully furnished with a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, and washer and dryer. The development also has a roughly 1,700-square-foot community center for social gatherings and life skills classes.

“We’ve got people offering to donate furniture and clothing,” Fenner said. “I know we’ve got a few people that are coming with nothing. So, the community is coming together to help fill in those gaps.”

Fenner said for those not needing rent assistance, the monthly rate is $675.

As for Mountaintop Homes, HRM Services owner Deb Giffin previously told SBJ its two-bedroom units rent for a maximum of $625 per month, while three-bedroom units are $700 monthly. A security deposit equal to one month’s rent is required.

Strengthening community
Duda said O’Reilly Development Co. is committed to strengthening communities by delivering thoughtful and well-designed residential living options.

“With the growing need for affordable housing, we’re proud to leverage our experience and strong partnerships to help meet that demand,” he said, adding the low-income housing tax credit program it has utilized for Mountaintop Homes, among other projects, is not a handout but a helping hand up. “Residents must pay rent, meet specific income and background requirements, and uphold responsible living standards to benefit from more affordable housing options.”

Noting affordable housing is a challenge to find, Fenner said it’s even harder for those with accessibility issues. Jordan’s Place is looking to make a small but impactful difference in housing for Marshfield-area residents, she said.

“We have several people within the intellectual and developmental disability community that this will be actually the first time they’ve ever been able to live on their own,” she said of incoming residents at Jordan’s Place.

Fenner said the project turned out much better than she envisioned several years ago.

“I can’t tell you the emotions that came with that,” she said. “You’re giving somebody an inclusive life and for the Webster County area, that’s awesome.”