An affordable housing development in north Springfield will include eight units for youth aging out of foster care. And a groundbreaking for the project was held Thursday.
Millstone Flats will contain 48 units, including 36 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units. It’s being built by Cherryvale Development, LLC, a local developer that has built other affordable housing in Springfield. The project is located at 3299 N. Vernon.
Good Samaritan Boys Ranch partnered with the developer to set aside eight units for youth aging out of foster care. The nonprofit will help connect residents with resources and support to help them be successful. Casey Wray, president and CEO of Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, said statistics aren’t good for young people leaving foster care. Many experience homelessness or legal problems.
“So much of that is because they reach this crisis moment either in housing or, or affordability or bills or whatever it be learning how to adult. And unlike the rest of us or many of us, they don’t have that safety net to fall back on,” he said. “So, if we can set them up as they leave with some stability, that increases the likelihood of success to surround them with people that are caring about them, rooting for them, encouraging them.”…