GLOSTER &045;&045; An apartment complex under construction in Gloster will provide housing for

area residents with mental health concerns, according to Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Executive Director Ray Wallace.

&uot;We’re glad it’s under construction, and we look forward to getting some folks moved in and living there,&uot; Wallace said.

SMMH will operate the $1.5 million complex, which is funded through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. &uot;Once it’s up and running, their will be an application process. People who are interested will be able to pick up an application from the resident manager at the apartment complex,&uot; Wallace said.

Residents who earn an income will be required to pay some rent based on a set formula.

HUD will pay the entire rent for qualified tenants with no income, Wallace said. SMMH serves a 10-county area in Southwest Mississippi and has operated a similar apartment complex in McComb for several years.

&uot;The resident manager will take care of some of the residents’ basic needs. Our case managers will also make regular visits and provide assistance,&uot; Wallace said.

SMMH bought the 3-acre site on Mississippi 24 from the Town of Gloster three years ago. The apartment complex has since been in the application and planning stages. &uot;They (SMMH) contacted us and asked if we were interested.

And of course, we were,&uot; Gloster Mayor Bill Adams said.

The Meadville-based construction firm of Owen, Holland and Sons was awarded the construction bid and started building the apartments two months ago.

&uot;We’ve had some good weather and got the foundations laid. We were supposed to finish by October of 2004, but now it looks like we’ll probably get through by June,&uot; said OHS executive Bobby Holland said.