VIRGINIA — Families in need of emergency housing in the city of Virginia now have greater access with the completion of a new facility.
Range Transitional Housing celebrated the grand opening of the $2.2 million space on Oct. 14. The building includes two adjoining houses, and each house will include both a three-bedroom and a two-bedroom apartment.
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $400,000 community infrastructure grant to the city of Virginia.
IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina delivered remarks at the event, according to a news release.
"Our agency was honored to provide funding to help prepare the site and bring in utilities to serve people in need of housing during times of crisis," Rukavina said. "The region needs all types of housing, from emergency housing, to single family homes and workforce housing."
The project was made possible through a multi-organizational partnership among IRRR, Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, the city of Virginia, St. Louis County and other entities.
Range Transitional Housing is a nonprofit organization that has been serving homeless individuals and families in Northern St. Louis County since 1993. The need for emergency housing in St. Louis County has always far exceeded the current capacity to serve those in need, according to the IRRR.
The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency’s emergency shelters turn away nearly 1,000 homeless individuals every year. And every week there are typically more than 100 unhoused people on the waiting list for housing in Northern St. Louis County.
The motivation behind the development, according to the nonprofit, is providing a healthy and safe environment for families, especially children.
Executive Director Adam Venne began his 25th year with Range Transitional Housing in July.
“In those years, I can’t count how many times we have run across families living in their vehicles or old, uninhabitable trailers," Venne said. "Homelessness and housing instability do not look the same for everyone. Some families opt to live in their car or stay in an unsafe environment over going to a homeless shelter.
"We need options like this on the Iron Range, so we can properly serve all of those in need."