Forty-eight people recovering from homelessness will find affordable housing with the construction of three apartment buildings in Hamilton.

The new apartments, called Choices, address the root causes of homelessness, according to Linda Kimble, director of Serve City homeless shelter.

An estimated 1,000 people in Butler County currently face homelessness, Kimble said.

Kimble said the residents of the apartments will have to remain drug and alcohol free, abide by a 10 p.m. curfew and complete 10 hours of community service each week in to continue living there.

"The environment someone lives in is so important to their functioning lives," Kimble said.

Each building contains four two bedroom units, which will cost a monthly price of $200 per person, and will probably open in the next few months, Kimble said.

"It's one option for people to stay in a protected environment for a longer period of time." Kimble said.

Various organizations are funding the construction of the project including Federal Home Loan Bank, First Financial Bank, Hamilton Community Foundation and The Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

The apartments offer people an alternative choice from staying in cheap hotels and provide housing for longer time periods than staying in homeless shelters, according to Kimble.

The Oxford Family Resource Center (FRC) offers many options for people facing homelessness, according to Diane Ruther-Vierling, executive director.

"There is homelessness in Oxford, even though many people don't think there is," Ruther-Vierling said.

In 2008, the FRC assisted 15 to 20 cases of people facing homelessness in Oxford. In the first three months of 2009, the center has helped eight to nine cases of homelessness, Ruther-Vierling said.

"Because of the economy, people are losing jobs, getting hours cut back and can't pay their bills," Ruther-Vierling said.

The FRC assists people by providing options of staying in shelters in Hamilton or Middletown, which have proved successful. Ruther-Vierling said residents will stay at the shelters for a few months and save money until they can afford their own housing.

There are also other options for those who do not wish to stay at a shelter.

Through government funding, the FRC can pay to put someone up at a motel for a short time or help pay the bill for one month's rent. The center also works with people to find friends and family members to assist them, Ruther-Vierling said.

"(Homelessness) does happen, and we try to help the best we can," Ruther-Vierling said.