Community Counseling Center receives housing funds

Nearly $1.5 million in Section 811 housing funds have been awarded to the Community Counseling Center Inc. in Cape Girardeau by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The funds will be used to construct 10 new affordable housing units in Cape Girardeau.

HUD's Section 811 program provides increased opportunity for people with disabilities to live independently by expanding the availability of rental housing that also provide supportive services.

Community Counseling Center Inc. provides mental health services to anyone living in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties.

"The greatest single obstacle for persons with mental illness is the lack of safe, decent and affordable housing," said John Hudak, executive director at the Community Counseling Center in a news release. "No other long term factor is as important for recovery as stable and adequate housing."