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Nonprofits work together, creating more affordable housing in Ocala

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) – Two nonprofits are working together to tackle homelessness in Marion County.

The project, called Mercy Village, is led by staff at Saving Mercy and Carrfour Supportive Housing. It includes 59 apartments and 10 duplex units with 12 month leases.

“This need is super great, not only in Marion County but in Florida as a whole,” said Penny Beehler.

Beehler is the executive director at Saving Mercy. She says their goal is to provide permanent housing for people who need a home in Ocala. Her team plans on working with tenants to determine their cost of rent based on their income.

“Everybody needs hope,” she said. “Sometimes when folks are in situations where they just feel like they can’t get out of the hole, we’re going to be giving them the opportunity to have hope in the future.”

The site is located at 3601 W. Silver Springs Blvd., behind the nonprofit’s former motel, which closed this fall.

Beehler says people living there are also signing up for services. They will assign a case manager to each case, and provide resources in budgeting, job insecurity, health benefits, and more.

Construction will cost roughly $24 million between both nonprofits. It was funded through grants and donations.

The project should be finished in stages over the next year.

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