Harbor eyes transitional housing

SMITHFIELD — For the budget year ahead, County Manager Rick Hester had recommended that taxpayers give $100,000 to Harbor.

The nonprofit, which provides shelter and other aid to victims of rape and domestic violence, had sought $325,000.

Among other things, Harbor wants to begin offering transitional housing — 24 to 36 months — for some of its clients, said Kay Johnson, the nonprofit’s executive director. “We have identified a population … who we feel will be able to benefit from this,” she told County Commissioners on June 10.

The cost of housing is rising rapidly, Johnson said. “When we look at housing within our community — when we look at affordable housing and workforce housing — that is something that’s challenging,” she said.

Especially for young women, including news moms, who find themselves on their own after leaving their abusers, Johnson said. To reasonably afford a one-bedroom apartment that costs $1,200 a month, someone would need to make $41,000 a year, she said.

“Many 18-year-olds can’t afford that,” Johnson said.

So the question becomes, “How can we as a community, how can we as a county, how can we as an agency assist those individuals?” she said.

Johnson said a partnership with another agency was in the works. “Without providing a specific name of the organization, because we just started talking, we want to be that organization,” she said.

“We have the capacity to serve those individuals who are 18 and over who meet our eligibility requirements of domestic violence and sexual assault but are in need of somewhere safe to say, not only for themselves but for their children as well,” Johnson said.

Harbor would face no legal or regulatory hurdles to offering transitional housing, Johnson added. “We know through the N.C. Housing Finance Agency that our deed allows us to not only serve those who are in imminent danger but those who need transitional” housing, she said.

Johnson thanked commissioners for their past support. “Your funding provides an integral part of Johnston County’s public health response to domestic violence and sexual assault,” she said.

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