ATHENS, Ohio – Hocking Athens Perry Community Action will receive $2 million in state funding to turn the Athens Sunset Motel into emergency shelter space for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Athens County.
HAPCAP is one of three organizations statewide to receive the funding from the HOME American Rescue Plan Non-Congregate Shelter program through the Ohio Department of Development. The funds will support transforming the motel at 135 Columbus Road into approximately 20 units of temporary, private living spaces for individuals or families in need.
Statewide, the projects will provide housing for approximately 500 unhoused Ohioans.
HAPCAP chose the Sunset Motel for several reasons, including access to public transportation, as well as the privacy and independence it will offer clients.
“One of the reasons why we felt that this location was really an ideal spot was that it is on an existing Athens Public Transit line,” said Kelly Hatas, HAPCAP’s executive director. “There are 20 units in its current motel configuration, which would mean 38 beds, but those numbers can be flexible and can be tailored to the needs of each individual or family coming in for shelter.”
Athens County currently has several operational shelters, including Timothy House and My Sister’s Place. The only other shelter with private space in the region is the Hocking Hills Inspire Shelter in Logan. However, these shelters are often at capacity, according to HAPCAP.
“We are working with those organizations,” said Jessica Stroh, HAPCAP’s director of Community Services. “They are very supportive of additional beds also in the community.”
According to HAPCAP, the Sunset Shelter Project is an opportunity to help local individuals get back on their feet with dignity and security.
“An overarching goal for this facility is to give people a safe, stable place where they can rebuild their lives or pursue their own housing status stability long term,” HAPCAP Director of Development Eva Bloom said.
The idea for the project emerged from the Athens County Foundation’s Project Co-Create earlier this year as a response to increased need for emergency shelters in Athens County.
“In January, there was a new effort to bring a group of community organizations together around the housing needs in the area,” Stroh said. “There was a significant increase in needs and issues that we had seen arising.”
More than 30 local organizations signed a letter of support for the project, Stroh said.
The project also offers a chance for local organizations to partner to accomplish community goals.
“One of the things I’m most excited about is this coordinated effort amongst the organizations in addressing this issue,” Hatas said. “It can feel really helpless right now. I think that this coalition, coordination and effort coming together to make this happen is something that I’m super excited about with it.”
Next steps
HAPCAP plans to solicit feedback from local people and businesses to determine operational guidelines and building plans, as well as to answer community questions.
“So far, we have heard widespread support from many different organizations and individuals about the project,” Stroh said. “But we also know that there are a lot of questions and concerns about having a shelter in the community. Our focus and goal is trying to make sure that all voices are being heard and that everybody has an opportunity to share their questions, concerns, and support.”
The shelter’s exact opening date is uncertain. Project planning is expected to take around 18 months; HAPCAP’s timeline shows the shelter opening in spring 2026.
“We’ll be developing a plan, hopefully, to be launched in early 2025 with additional connections,” Hatas said. “And then we’ll be developing more community engagement opportunities.”
HAPCAP encourages the public to fill out its survey or email shelterproject@hapcap.org with any questions or concerns.
“We want folks to know that this is a developing process, that we’re in consultation with many community groups and we are open to feedback from the community,” Bloom said. “We want the shelter to be a safe place for everyone.”
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