ARP-LAT Accelerator Post-Issue 19

Portshaw 

Earlier this year, Portshaw Apartments opened in the Shawnee neighborhood at 110 Hansbrough Place. Providing 38 units of income-based affordable housing, the units are allowing residents to have stable, safe, and secure housing.

Starting this month, residents will begin moving into the complex. 28 of the units are for families earning up to 50% AMI and 10 of them are for families earning 30% AMI.

House of Ruth

Founded in 1992, House of Ruth provides services to approximately 650 people a year who are HIV-positive and struggle with housing insecurity.

In addition to housing, House of Ruth offers wraparound services that help individuals learn to manage their HIV positive status and related medical needs, managing homeownership, job applications, financial planning, etc. House of Ruth's goal is for their residents to become self-supporting and finding a greater quality of life. 

Housing assistance is associated with improved health outcomes for people with HIV/AIDS and a reduction in risk of transmitting the virus. Helping a person manage their HIV benefits them, as well as the whole community. The Coalition for the Homeless' research indicates that one unhoused person costs taxpayers over $50,000 annually. This number is due to the increase of services like hospitals, jails, and shelters. The cost of housing one person in supportive housing for one year is a little over $27,000 per year.

People with HIV/AIDS are now living longer and fifty percent of House of Ruth’s current clients are 50 and up. 

Because of this, the ARP project focused on meeting the needs of aging HIV residents. The project is allowing House of Ruth to serve over 70% of their current waiting list for permanent supportive housing.

Dubbed Red Key Landing and located at 605 E. St. Catherine St., House of Ruth's newly renovated 40 units and expanded facilities reopened in March. 

Camp Taylor Waterpark

Funded in part by ARP, the Camp Taylor Pool reopened on May 19 to children, and the mayor, braving the chilly water.

“When I took office the Camp Taylor Pool had been closed for years, so we made it a priority to bring it back better than ever,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Now, families in Camp Taylor and the surrounding neighborhoods will have a safe, welcoming, state-of-the-art facility where they can spend time together and create wonderful memories for years to come.”

The $6.2 million project, now renamed the Camp Taylor Waterpark, was closed for more than ten years and in desperate need of repair and renovation. 

Located at 4201 Lee Avenue inside Camp Taylor Park, the waterpark is designed for visitors of all ages and abilities, featuring an ADA accessible zero-depth entry, a water slide, children’s play area with a slide, a water basketball hoop, and a climbing wall. The pool house includes restrooms, showers, and lockers for swimmers.

In addition to the waterpark, the former half-court basketball court is now full-size, the walking path has been lengthened, outdoor fitness stations have been added, and parking has been repaved.

“The addition of this new waterpark, along with the many improvements throughout the grounds, has made it incredibly exciting to watch Camp Taylor Park come to life,” said Executive Director of Louisville Parks and Recreation Michelle King. “Whether you’re swimming laps, shooting hoops, using the fitness circuit, or playing in one of our senior softball leagues, residents of all ages now have more ways than ever to get outside, stay active, and enjoy everything this park has to offer.”

Safety is a main focus at the new waterpark with an off‑duty police officer on site during waterpark operating hours. A clear‑bag policy will be enforced at all locations, and all personal items are subject to inspection.

The Camp Taylor Waterpark opening follows the Algonquin Swimming Pool reopening and the opening of Nick Rodman Legacy Park and Sprayground last year. Camp Taylor Waterpark will be open from 12-5 p.m. every day, except Thursdays, when it will be closed for maintenance.

The cost to access the waterpark is $3 for adults and children 13 and older, and $2 for children 12 and under. More information about all Louisville Parks and Recreation’s pools, waterparks, and spraygrounds can be found on the Aquatics landing page.