Dosker Manor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville leaders are making steady progress as they relocate residents from Dosker Manor to other public housing projects. 

Moving hundreds of residents is no small task, and requires more than just a moving truck. That's why the city has assembled dozens of social workers and clinicians to assist residents needing social and mental services. 

According to a news release from the city's Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, 175 residents have received moving assistance. Of those, 44 have been referred to clinical services for mental health. 

Because of the number of residents that need to be relocated, the city has added an additional staff member to help residents, so there are now three people from OSHN at Dosker Manor every day. OSHN is also being assisted by 35 local and national organizations are helping, including: Aetna, Centerwell, Passport, Association of Community Ministries, Humana, Veteran Affairs, Buena Vida, RCS (Neighborhood Place), and the VOA.

Those agencies will help address residents' concerns and anxieties as the move continues, as well as making sure they have everything they need to qualify for a new housing voucher. So far, OSHN has helped obtain birth certificates required to receive some services. 

Joyce Mason moved out of the housing complex on Nov. 1, and it marked a major milestone. She was the 100th person to be moved from Dosker Manor after it was ordered to be demolished and rebuilt, after years of violence and substandard living conditions.

In July, the Louisville Metro Housing Authority said it had 100 apartments open and ready for residents for Dosker Manor residents. LMHA is covering all moving expenses, and has hired a contractor to help residents pack their belongings and unpack them at their new space.

If residents choose to move themselves, they can be reimbursed up to $1,300. LMHA has estimated that it will take nearly a year and-a-half to get everyone out of the complex. 

Hundreds of residents still need to be relocated, and LMHA estimates the process will take at least another 12 months.

Dosker Manor is scheduled to be demolished in 2026. LMHA has chosen local firm LDG Development to lead the reconstruction after it beat out more than a dozen development firms for the project.

Plans for the new Dosker Manor include senior housing on the current site of the First Link corner store, while additional family housing will be built on the current grounds of the complex. The new development will not include high-rise buildings, a significant change from the current structure.

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