Cove House opens newest building

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Cove House celebrated the opening of their newest building, an 8-plex , which can house, at full capacity, up to 48 people.

Cove House held a  ribbon cutting for the building Monday at noon, and the second tenant moved in at 1 p.m. the same day. The  first tenant was able to move in 30 minutes after the building was cleared for occupancy.

Each of the units in the building has two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Depending on who needs to use the rooms, they have up to two bunkbeds available per room meaning up to eight people can be housed in a single unit meaning full capacity would be 48 people.

"This effectively doubles our capacity," said Cove House Executive Director, Brian Hawkins.

Cove House received $600,000 from  the City of Copperas Cove from ARPA funds for the building.

"We could not have done this project for $600,000 without Dustin Dewald being willing to donate all of his time as a general contractor. He worked with all the subcontractors and all the material providers and got donations...For that $600,000 we were able to build a building that probably should have cost about $950,000."

Hawkins said that he expects the building will be full by the end of January. They hope to eventually build another structure on their property which will have their office downstairs and a men's dorm upstairs.

Hawkins said that he was excited about how many more people they will be able to help thanks to their new building.

Rita Hogan, president of the Cove House board of directors, said that they've been working towards getting the building for at least the last four years. They broke ground in April. After getting started, they were able to make quick work of building the 8-plex.

"We had the right people...and they just made it happen," said Hogan.

Hogan said that they were grateful that they now have more space to be able to help more people. She said that their program is about helping people to be able to get their lives together and help them to be successful even after they leave the program. Hogan said that the program usually takes between 12 and 18 months to complete.

There are rules and guidelines put forth by Cove House to help ensure the resident's success such as check-ins, curfews, and banning alcohol on the premises. They must work towards getting a job and then towards finding them their own place to live. During their time with Cove House, they don't have to buy anything-their home, food, and even healthcare are provided for.

She said that they've even had some people who completed their program, have gotten back on their feet, and are now helping others in return.

"The people who come here are trying to put their lives together," said Hawkins. "We are a launching pad, not a crash pad."