Louisville nonprofit breaks ground on housing facility that'll help homeless population

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some of Louisville's homeless population will soon have permanent housing.

It is the result of a partnership that will provide housing for some of Louisville's most vulnerable population. On Friday afternoon officials broke ground on Sheehan Landing.

A year from now, the space will be home to more than 80 units and help address Louisville’s ongoing housing crisis.

"My heart is so full, I have already cried," Ra'Shan Martin, with the St. John Center, said.

It's an emotional day for people at the St. John Center.

Mayor Craig Greenberg and representatives from St. John Center and LDG Development broke ground on Sheehan Landing just off Preston Highway.

"Time and time again, we have seen that this is the solution," Martin said. "So we're building supportive housing for the people who've been the hardest to house."

For nearly 40 years, the St. John Center has been providing services for people experiencing homelessness but this will be the first housing facility.

"We're building this facility, but designed these units to meet the needs right of the people who've been without housing too long, who are also the people who are sleeping in the parks who are sleeping in the hospitals, the parking lots," Martin said.

A few years ago, 25-year-old Jeremiah Widemon hit rock bottom and lost his home.

Widemon said going to the St. John Center changed his life and believes Sheehan Landing will do the same for others.

"I know that just having a structure having a day-to-day routine can be very helpful to your mental well being and the things that you accomplish," Widemon said.

The complex will include more than 80 furnished one-bedroom apartments, access to wrap-around services and address the ongoing housing crisis.

"And so when we build housing right for the most difficult to house you know, we can start to solve the root cause," Martin said. "So we can start to solve the root problem, which is the lack of housing."

Right now, the goal is to cut the ribbon on Sheehan Landing in about 12 months.

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