Athens-Clarke County Commissioners are set to vote early next month on the creation of a strategic plan to deal with homelessness in the county and how to spend some $9 million in funding to address the problem.
Creation of the plan by a Maryland-based consulting firm would come with a price tag of just over $133,000 and would take about eight months to complete. In addition to the current $9.2 million in available funding spend, the county has spent $8.8 million in recent years on measures addressing homelessness and housing insecurity, including the creation of an eviction prevention program and the creation of a county-sanctioned homeless encampment.
Commissioners are also expected to vote next month on a proposed development to create a gated townhouse community on 65 acres on Olympic Drive. The ACC Planning Commission recommended denying the necessary zoning variance needed to build the 310-unit complex.
Another zoning issue expected to be in front of commissioners at their September 6 meeting is the creation of a halfway house on Highland Park Drive for women in recovery. That proposal has drawn opposition from some area residents.
