Open Door Mission now offers permanent supportive housing for homeless. What to know

On Sept. 28, Open Door Mission celebrated 70 years of providing emergency care for homeless, families and survivors of domestic abuse.

The nonprofit held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Miller Building apartments, a 122-year-old building that was remodeled to offer permanent support housing for the homeless.

The newly renovated Miller Building has 13 studio apartments and 11 one-bedroom apartments.

Open Door Mission received a $6 million grant from New York state’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) to fund the Miller Building. The group also had help from project partners: Hamilton Stern Construction Company, Passero Associates, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), MM Development and the City of Rochester.

Since 1952, the Open Door Mission has prepared nearly 100,000 meals each year. And in 2021, the group distributed over 70,000 meals, collected over 250,000 pounds of clothing and provided over 13,000 nights of shelter to those in need. Until the Miller Building begins moving in residents, the Samaritan House Crisis Center, two doors down, is open for 24-hours from November to March. The Samaritan House provides emergency housing, access to laundry facilities, and warm meals for those in need. Personalized case management is also available for those seeking permanent housing or other services.

What follows is a Q/A with the Open Door Mission's Vice President of Operations Robert Williams. The interview is edited for length and clarity.

Why was this specific location picked? What was the prior use?

This is property that the Open Door Mission has owned for many years. Open Door Mission has owned the building for about 30 years. Its primary use was for the storage of emergency clothing and emergency furniture used for emergency programs. In much earlier years, it was Archie's Gob Shop, a popular Rochester jeans and clothing retailer.

Why were the apartments built? Who do the apartments serve?

(The Miller Building) has served for many years as the primary venue for the emergency clothing and emergency furniture programs. Converting the warehouse into supportive housing is only a small contribution in addressing the increasing incidence of homelessness in the city of Rochester. The apartments will serve as supportive housing to the homeless.

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What are some of the requirements to live in the Miller Building? When will people be able to move in?

Homelessness can come along with or be a result of a myriad of circumstances. Mental illness, chronic homelessness, domestic violence, addiction recovery; to name a few.  The apartments will serve to provide housing for many who may fall into one these groups. We are hopeful residents will begin to occupy the building Nov. 1.

How does the opening of the apartments support Open Door Mission's goals?

With the proper resources hope can be restored and lives forever changed. This residential project will serve as a part of the resources to begin restoring hope to 24 individuals.

These are your second apartments opened to serve the community. Are there hopes to open more in the future?

The need for more affordable housing in the city of Rochester doesn’t end with the opening of the Miller Building apartments. We, like many other organizations, will continue to do what we can to inhibit the homelessness in the city of Rochester.

Where can people get more information and apply to the Miller Building apartments?

People can get more information by contacting Charise Watson, our case manager. Her work cellphone number is 585-802-3808, and the direct line to her office is 585-471-2689.

Justice Marbury is a Revisiting the Rochester Narrative fellow and a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology's photojournalism program. Follow her on Instagram @justice_marbury. Her website is justicemarbury.com.

Genae Shields is a Revisiting the Rochester Narrative fellow and a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology's photojournalism program. Follow her on Instagram @genaebriphoto and on Twitter @genaebri. Her website is genaeshields.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Open Door Mission opens supportive housing for homeless