"Welcome home" is the warm and enthusiastic message to Charlotte's chronically homeless population at a new facility spearheaded by the Urban Ministry Center and architect David Furman's Centro City Works. The facility, Moore Place, invites the public to an open house today from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Construction of Moore Place began in August 2010, when officials broke ground at the 929 Moretz Avenue location, just off North Graham Street. Since then, community homeless activists and others have put tremendous resources and volunteer hours into completing the project.

The Urban Ministry web page for Moore House offers these details on how the cutting-edge facility will benefit all Charlotteans:

Modeled after successful communities across the country, Moore Place will offer 85 efficiency apartments with on-site case management and 24-hour security for chronically homeless men and women. This will be the only option in Charlotte for chronically homeless women and a cornerstone piece of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Moore Place will cost an estimated $10 million, which has already been raised through a combination of private, corporate, foundation and public monies.

Construction costs for Moore Place along with operating reserves are 95% raised through a combination of private, corporate, foundation and public monies. Residents will pay 30% of their income for rent and utilities and be responsible for their own cooking and cleaning of their homes.

For more on Moore, go here.

For details on today's open house, contact Katie Church at 980-224-9256.

Also check out CLT Blog contributor Keia Mastrianni's story of Charlottean Billy Joe Shaver (not the country singer/songwriter), whose journey with the Urban Ministry took him from chronic homelessness to now permanently housed. Here's an excerpt:

Billy Joe Shaver, 59, spent seven years on the streets of Charlotte, living in makeshift camps, most notably his “semi-permanent” home, a dwelling he constructed out of warehouse pallets and lived in for four years. Shaver managed his basic needs to the best of his ability, despite bouts with mental illness and difficulty managing his medications. He found solace everyday at the Urban Ministry Center, where he would get a hot meal and an occasional shower. It was there that Shaver became acquainted with Joann Markley, case manager for Urban Ministry Center’s Housing Works program providing housing and supportive services to chronic and disabled homeless individuals.

Markley recognized Shaver to be a perfect candidate for the program, which was launched in May 2008 to test the “Housing First” approach, a philosophy that says every person has a fundamental right to housing no matter their condition, physical disability or addiction. Housing First offers permanent supportive housing to the chronically homeless meaning there is no time limit on residency and individuals receive supportive services to assist with their conditions.

Billy Joe Shaver moved into his permanent home September 2010 and still resides there 16 months later. He receives on-going case management and assistance with his mental health appointments, including transportation to pick up his prescriptions, help with paying his bills and regular check-ins by Markley.

Read the entire piece and watch a video walkthrough of Moore Place here.