Nov. 27--The recently unveiled Moore Place project for the chronically homeless has raised more than $1 million in the past four weeks.

Mecklenburg County's ABC Board and Myers Park United Methodist Church are the latest high-profile donors, with the board giving $100,000 this week and the church providing $75,000. Those donations follow $300,000 donated last week by the Belk Foundation.

To date, the Urban Ministry Center has raised more than $8.2 million toward the $10 million construction cost of the planned 85-unit apartment building.

"We're very encouraged by the different types of partners who have come forward, from the ABC Board's $100,000 to the $105 raised at a little girl's birthday party, in lieu of gifts," says Kathy Izard, director of the Urban Ministry's Homeless to Homes program.

"What this says to me is that, in the worst of times, it brought out the best in us. If we each give what we can, we'll get this done."

The Urban Ministry announced the project Oct. 18 in an Observer article, which also noted that similar projects in other cities had proven it is cheaper to house and treat the chronically homeless than to continue paying for their frequent trips to jail or the emergency room.

About 10 percent of the city's 6,500 homeless are considered chronically homeless, a sub-group of mentally ill or drug-addicted people who defy traditional means of help.

An Urban Ministry survey of the chronically homeless showed the apartment building had the potential to save the city $2 million in its first year. Construction is set to begin next spring on a lot in the Druid Hills community off North Graham Street.

Among the biggest donors are the Charlotte Housing Authority, the Wachovia-Wells Fargo Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, each of which has given $1 million or more. In addition, the Urban Ministry confirmed this week that the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services has committed to a partnership with Moore Place, providing five social workers and one disability benefits specialist. That equals a $350,000 annual contribution in services, and ensures long-term sustainability for the project, officials said.

"I think the plan just makes sense to people," says Dale Mullennix of the Urban Ministry Center. "They see themselves as making an investment in something that will improve the community and change lives."

The biggest series of donations in recent weeks has come from the faith community, in part due to a $250,000 challenge grant issued last month by Myers Park Presbyterian.

Since then, 16 more congregations have signed on with pledges or planned offerings, including $2,300 collected last Sunday at Avondale Presbyterian Church, Izard says.

Parks Helms, chair of the ABC Board, said a sermon two weeks ago at his church, Park Road Baptist Church, prompted him to suggest the ABC board donate $100,000. The board can distribute donations for substance-abuse prevention, education and treatment.

"The board approved that $100,000 gift unanimously," says Helms. "This seemed to be the perfect way to be a part of something important."

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