Housing for mentally ill being established in Fostoria

The building at 529 W. Lytle St., in Fostoria is being returned to its roots of assisting the mentally ill. A Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting took place Tuesday to recognize the forthcoming opening of the Terry Russell Home, owned and operated by New Housing Ohio to provide apartment-style housing for those in need. New Housing Ohio is based in Lebanon, Ohio, and has an office in Tiffin. "As an organization, we've been doing this for 28 years," said New Housing Ohio President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Boone. "This is part of our mission. As far as this building specifically, we worked very closely with the regional mental health boards." Once all work is completed, the building will be a 15-unit, 16-bed group home that will be staffed at all times to provide assistance to the residents. "It's designed for folks with disabilities and we expect it'll be primarily for folks living with mental illness," Boone said. Jocelyn Reinhart, director of the chamber of commerce, was present to host the ribbon cutting. "I'm just proud to support new businesses in Fostoria and new chamber members," she said. The structure's namesake, the former executive of Ohio's chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Ohio and an advocate for the mentally ill for more than 50 years, said seeing the building bear his name is the top honor he's received. "To be recognized is very special," Russell said, noting that as state NAMI director in 2006 he secured a grant from Eli Lilly that partly went toward the construction of the Lytle Street building with his standby expression as its base. "I said about 35 years ago, 'You only get better if you have a roof over your head, food in your belly and somebody knows your name.'" he said. "We can do all the counseling, we can do all the medication, we can do all those things, but if you don't have those, you're not going to get better." Boone said referrals are already being taken and he hopes for residents to begin moving in by Feb. 1. Each furnished apartment will have its own living room, bedroom and kitchen. Common areas will include seating and television, and exterior seating will also be provided. Meals will be prepared for residents, who will also be able to take part in organized activities and receive visits from medical providers. "I like to think of it like an assisted living facility for individuals who struggle with severe, persistent mental health disabilities," said Precia Stuby, executive director of the Hancock County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board. New Housing Ohio bought the building, which had had ownership changes over the years, about a year and a half ago, Boone said. "We've been rehabbing it," he said. "We completely gutted the building. ... It just needed an update. It was about 16-17 years old, so a lot of things had to be updated."