River Edge Behavioral Health Center has officially unveiled its latest long-term housing initiative, which was made possible through partnership with Macon-Bibb County and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Bayside Village (3555 Fulton Mill Road) is a complex of 16 one-bedroom energy efficient apartments that make new, safe, affordable, and permanent community housing available. The apartments offer support options for people seeking recovery from mental illness and addiction, who were formerly homeless, or with developmental disabilities seeking a meaningful life in our community. Bayside Village and its staff are already providing support to people in all 16 units.

A ribbon-cutting and open house event was held on June 7, 2017 to celebrate the community housing initiative. In attendance were current Bayside Village residents, and representatives from River Edge Behavioral Health, the River Edge Foundation, Macon-Bibb County, and HUD.

“The mission of River Edge is to add value to the people and communities we serve. So, we are pleased to provide this available resource and solution to community housing,” said Shannon Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of River Edge. “We know that stable housing helps people achieve long-term recovery, and we deeply appreciate the partnership of Macon-Bibb consolidated government and HUD to make this possible.”

Bayside Village is the fifth permanent housing complex developed by The River Edge Foundation. The infrastructure development and construction of the two phases of Bayside Village was financed through $1.5 million in HUD financing provided through Macon-Bibb County’s Economic and Community Development Department.

“While we have people in great need in our community, we have organizations that are actively making more assistance and support available to them,” said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. “I want to thank River Edge for working with us to provide housing across our community that provides both a place to live and support and assistance to meet their specific needs.”

In addition to providing long-term housing solutions, the Foundation’s work has transformed formerly blighted and abandoned blocks of the community and engaged the philanthropic community to leverage resources for recovery. The River Edge Behavioral Health Center provides support services to assure residents’ housing success.