One Stop Homeless Services Center opening in B.R.

A state-of-the-art housing and services facility designed to aid the homeless in Baton Rouge will officially open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 2 p.m. Thursday at the center, 153 North 17th St. The One Stop Homeless Services Center is a collaborative effort between the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge and nonprofit developer Gulf Coast Housing Partnership. The $8.4 million center was built with public and private funding, including $660,000 from the Louisiana Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit. Others who helped fund the project include the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority, Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Community Housing Capital and Whitney National Bank. One Stop will provide 36 units of permanent housing and will also bring support services on-site to support independent living for formerly homeless residents. Residents will have access to medical care, a pharmacy, case management, mental health screening, legal aid, employment assistance and vocational training.