LEE COUNTY – A homeless shelter in Keokuk could be in line for up to $120,000 in opioid funding, after a meeting of the Lee County Opioid panel Tuesday evening.
Jerry Schmidt, project manager for the Keokuk Homeless Alliance, made a presentation to the county group, asking for $120,000 to complete the homeless shelter in Keokuk. The $225,000 renovation taking place in the 600 block of Johnson Street in Keokuk will initially serve as a warming/cooling center, but when work is complete, will become a fully functional and ADA-compliant homeless shelter in the 2026 calendar year with an occupancy rating for 24 people.
The Alliance applied for funding because plans include hand-offs for homeless people suffering with opioid and co-occurring substance abuse. The alliance has had discussions with the Talbot House for Sober Living and wants to provide direct access to other substance abuse counseling services such as Lydia’s House and ADDS in Keokuk for those in the center needing assistance.
Lee County Supervisor Garry Seyb, who supports the funding, said the panel has confirmed that brick-and-mortar projects are acceptable. He said there is a correlation between homelessness and substance abuse.
“It’s not a big jump from homeless to hopeless,” he said.
However, other panel members said they have concerns about the alliance’s plans as they pertain to specific opioid abuse mitigation.
“I mean, that’s what we’re here for and I have concerns about that pathway,” said panel member Darrin Ranck.
The county committee only makes recommendations to the Lee County Board of Supervisors and supervisors would have the final decision on the funding.
Lee County Attorney Ross Braden weighed in on the application echoing Ranck’s comments. Braden said he would advise that the group further clarify its intentions specific to transition to recovery services and potential for onsite services. At that point, the application could be a viable use of funding.
The panel has also asked for a recommendation from the Iowa State Auditor’s office, who monitors spending from opioid funds that are part of the National Opioid Settlement Trust. The panel is recommending approving the funding on a unanimous vote, but contingent on the alliance providing more detail in the path for transition to recovery, and a positive opinion on the plan from state auditors.
The county currently has $566,403 in its opioid fund with $50,000 annually committed to the Talbot House for the next two years for $150,000 total. The Talbot House initially received $15,000 for a total of $165,000 over four years.
The county received an additional $107,000 last week as part of settlements from distributor agreements, Teva, Allergan, and CVS. The county is expecting to receive $1.5 to $2 million in funds over the next 15 years. That brings the county’s current funding to roughly $674,300. An agreement was approved by the county at Tuesday morning’s meeting that will open the county to funding from Purdue Pharmaceuticals as part of their settlement.
The county has also approved a program with Alcohol & Drug Dependency Services of Southeast Iowa for a program to reach 4th through 7th grade students in Lee County Schools. That program would provide funding for ADDS staff to be in schools where approved and provide counseling to students under a nationwide program. However, according to ADDS officials, that program is on hold until staffing can be identified and trained.
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