At-risk women and infants will again have somewhere to stay if the Roanoke City Council approves plans for a group care facility next week, more than a year after a nonprofit’s closure left a gap in social services.
The Roanoke Planning Commission this week unanimously recommended a rezoning for a group of organizations to renovate the three-story brick house at 1729 Patterson Ave. S.W., sending it to the city council for a scheduled vote Monday.
Up to 16 pregnant and parenting women and infants will be able to reside there at a time, said architect Jeff Wood, representing Restoration Housing, a local nonprofit.
“The building is workable for this use,” Wood said. “Notably, we’d be improving handicap access, create a small addition on the back … exit ramps, a sprinkler system and modern fire alarm.”
Other local organizations involved with the project plans include Carilion Clinic, Roanoke Valley Collective Response and Anderson Treatment, according to board documents.
A spokesperson for Restoration Housing declined to comment until Monday’s vote. The plan application seeks to operate a residential treatment facility and halfway house for new and expecting mothers who are struggling with substance use and mental health troubles.
“Not only is the treatment a critical service to Roanoke’s community, but the outcome of keeping mothers and children together will have a broad impact that will last for generations to come,” the application reads. “There is a strong need and a large gap since Bethany Hall’s closure in 2022.”
Bethany Hall operated for decades out of a brick house in Old Southwest, but closed alongside the Trust House and some other services when its supporting nonprofit, ARCH Roanoke, folded in 2023.
Five former neighbors of Bethany Hall spoke to the planning commission in support of plans for the house on Patterson Avenue. It will help to fill sorely needed services for otherwise vulnerable women and children, they said.
“Treatment outcomes maintained by Bethany Hall saw 70% of their patients stay in recovery,” according to the application. Also, “It will preserve a 100-year-old building in its original configuration.”
Statewide, Roanoke has the largest overall number of children in the foster care system, according to the application.
“This program is a critical service to abate the foster care system trajectory for many children in the area,” it reads.
The requested rezoning is part of the city council’s public hearings at 7 p.m. Monday at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building. The council has its initial session at 2 p.m. Monday.
Published March 14, 2024 in The Roanoke Times by Luke Weir.
