The move would give the YWCA more room to expand its services, the organization told city officials. The YWCA is looking to sell the downtown property at 244 Dayton St. to a hotel or possibly others.
Among other things, the proposed facility could help homeless people needing permanent supportive housing, YWCA officials said.
They noted Butler County’s 2018 “Point in Time” count identified 193 homeless people, including 64 of them women. Of those 193 people, 41 had been diagnosed with a mental illness and 40 were substance abusers.
“While the new Hope House Grove Street project in Middletown is expected to provide 30 (permanent supportive housing) beds targeted to men, this still leaves homeless women in need,” the YWCA wrote the city.
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The YWCA requested a rezoning of the 3.7-acre property from an Industrial 2 designation to an Industrial Planned Development area.
“Under this plan, if this moves forward, they would be selling that building,” city Planning Director Liz Hayden told City Council.
“They’ve already been meeting with the city’s Economic Development Department to potentially market that building to hotels or whoever else might be interested,” Hayden added.
Council in January will consider whether to change the property’s zoning to allow the building, which officials said fits the goals of plans Hamilton created for the Ohio 4 corridor and for overall city development.
The new building is to include:
• About 3,500 square feet for administrative offices to accommodate approximately 25 YWCA employees.
• Another 3,500 square feet where social services will be provided.
• Up to 50 one-bedroom apartments, occupying about 25,000 square feet.
• About 7,000 square feet to accommodate 15 domestic-violence shelter apartments.
• Some 11,500 square feet for common areas.
YWCA Hamilton, which was founded in 1900 by the city’s first female physician, is dedicated to eliminating racism; empowering women; and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
YWCA Hamilton operates Dove House, the only protective shelter in Butler County. It also offers housing and services for women with mental illness and offers programs in schools to help students become more resilient.
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