Over the last few years, Last House on the Block has become something of a misnomer.
Since relocating to the former Masonic Lodge building in east Columbus in 2013, the faith-based, sober-living residential treatment center has expanded to four houses.
In the past year, LHOB has opened its third home for men on the property located at 206 Tuscaloosa Road while also taking over Avante House, which had operated as a residential program for women who had just been released from prison. The home on Highway 182, which is currently home to eight women, now operates as a sober-living facility called Last House on the Block Women.
In all, LHOB currently provides sober-living space for 30 people.
As a faith-based facility, LHOB receives no state or federal funds. Aside from funding from the United Way of Lowndes County, the facility relies on private donations for its operations and — of course — expansion.
“We would like to add an activity center here and one day have a bigger facility for the females,” said Bill Brigham, former board president for LHOB.
Community support is critical and over the years, LHOB has groomed relationships with several groups, most notably area churches.
“We probably have eight churches that do things for us on pretty much a regular basis,” said board president Kevin Styron. “That support is huge.”
Brigham said those churches generally prefer taking on a specific project, such as furnishing the homes or providing meals.
The expenses go beyond that. There are two paid staff members, including house manager Billy Jordan, along with utilities, miscellaneous debt service on one of the newer buildings, supplies, some food and insurance.
“Insurance is a big expense,” Brigham noted. “We have insurance on vehicles, four houses and, of course, liability. It comes to about $20,000 a year.”
Although residents are required to work and pay up to $75 per week in rent ($25 is reserved for the residents so they will have money when they leave), there is always a need for cash.
That means fundraising, and the biggest fundraiser is going on now through Nov. 17 — a raffle for a deer hunt at Joe Holley’s deer camp in Noxubee County along with a rifle donated by Gary’s Pawn and Gun.
“We’ve been doing this for about five years and it has been great,” Styron said. “It’s a big deal.”
Brigham said LHOB expects to raise between $25,000 to $30,000, based on previous raffles.
“People have been very generous,” said Allegra Brigham, who serves as a board member for LHOB Women. “I think people understand. Just about every family has a story about someone who has been in the situations our residents are dealing with. There is no way we would be able to do any of this without their support.”
Raffle tickets are $10. For more information, call Styron at 549-2074 or Jordan at 352-4516.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.