HUNTINGTON -- The Cabell County Commission approved a resolution Thursday to give more than $100,000 toward the purchase and rehabilitation of the Huntington Middle School building for affordable senior housing.

The funds will bolster Cabell County Community Service Organization's efforts to develop 20 senior citizen housing units in the school. The initial funds from the commission came from the federal Community Housing Development Organization, money that was unused from 2005 to 2007.

"The commission has a lot of concern about senior citizens and affordable housing," Commissioner Bob Bailey said.

Bailey said the federal funds are typically reserved for projects along Artisan Avenue. With few options for affordable housing for seniors in Huntington, Bailey said the commission thought this was a good investment.

CCCSO Executive Director Robert Roswall said the funds will be used for consulting fees and seed money to be matched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Roswall said $2 million in federal grants is being sought for the project.

Roswall said he is waiting for HUD to announce available grants before he can fill out applications for federal funds.

Students of Huntington Middle School, formally known as the West Middle School, will move out of the facility later this year to begin classes at the newly constructed school located on the former site of Cammack Elementary and Middle. The Huntington Middle School is currently located on Jefferson Avenue.

Bailey, the president of the CCCSO Board of Directors, said the project will cost about $3 million and will take between two and three years before the first person can move in. Roswall said he expects to sign a 40- to 50-year lease with the Cabell County Board of Education for the school property.

The new senior housing complex also will serve as a senior community center, the location of CCCSO offices and main kitchen used for CCCSO's Meals on Wheels program.

The commission also approved the allocation of $1,000 to the Mingo County Commission to be used for flood victim relief. Bailey, who sponsored the action, said the money would be allocated to the commission, which would have the authority to give it to the American Red Cross.

The money would be used to help people affected by flooding in Matewan, Red Jacket and Gilbert, Bailey said.

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