Downtown apartments will have housing for homeless, low-income Macon residents. See inside

Bobby Wagner, a 58-year-old Macon man who has been homeless for years, could be a tenant in a new homeless and low-income housing complex downtown that took over 10 years to build.

The Central City Apartments and the Phil and Alice Sheridan Health Center, on Walnut and 7th Street, will feature 82 one-to-two bedroom apartments, including 16 for homeless people. The rest will be for low-income residents. The apartments feature a kitchen, living room and bathroom.

The facility will also offer health care, case management and educational classes to keep tenants stable until they can get back on their feet.

“Moving around from area to area is hard because I had a stroke two years ago,” Wagner said, while sitting on his walker. “I can’t really think of anything I’m grateful for … If it wasn’t for Sister Theresa (Sullivan), I don’t know what we would do.”

Sullivan, director of the Sheridan Health Center and local homeless nonprofit Daybreak Day, said the center will offer dental, physical, and mental health services to homeless people as they leave Piedmont Hospital. The center, made in partnership with national homeless assistance nonprofit Depaul USA, will feature a 12-bed medical respite and free health clinic, expected to open in July.

“Why wait until someone’s in the hole before you help them, right?” Sullivan told The Telegraph. “People can come here to get the medical support they need with no place to go.”

The complex raised $2.25 million from the Sheridan Foundation and other donors, and got about $500,000 from the Macon-Bibb County Commission. The center was made in partnership with Macon Housing Authority, Depaul USA, Piedmont Hospital and several others.

The 16 fully furnished units for “chronically homeless people” will be scattered throughout the three-building, mixed-income community, Sullivan said.

“There is intentionally going to be mixed housing so people won’t know who’s in which house,” Sullivan said.

Most applicants must pay a $25 application fee to live at Central City Apartments, unless they can’t afford it, according to Adria Hancock, property manager of Macon Housing Authority. Cost for apartments depends on where one’s income falls. One must not owe a previous landlord, Hancock said.

“It’s for the working class people, but I’ll leave it at that. It’s pretty much open to anybody,” Hancock told The Telegraph.

Wagner was waiting for a response to his housing application Tuesday.

A classroom connected to the health center will offer enrichment courses for tenants and the public, on topics like wellness recovery, crisis action plans and emotional connection, instructor Lonnie Ford said. Classes are held Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. for about one to two and a half hours.

“Anybody can come. You want to sit in a class, come. I get them to participate by asking specific questions like what are you like when you are well or unwell. It’s putting a plan together for your life,” Ford told The Telegraph.

Daybreak Day’s current health facility will move to the first floor of Building A on Walnut Street. The organization recently gave the man his first pair of tennis shoes in six months, as well as shorts, pants and a walker.

“I just hope they accept my application soon,” Wagner said. “This is not for the good of heart. If you can afford it, afford it.”

Wagner, local politicians, international congregational leaders, donors, press and Macon residents toured the complex as it was still under construction Tuesday. The facility also unveiled and blessed a religious sculpture at the facility, which is the only one of its kind other than one located in the Vatican, crafted by world-renowned Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz who also attended the event. Presenters then sprinkled holy water across the grounds.

Besides housing and restorative services, Wagner hopes the new housing and health complex will guide him to one day speak to his two daughters again.

“Neither one of them got anything to do with me. They just don’t even talk to me anymore. I can’t even get them on the phone. So I would love to talk to them,” Wagner said.