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Sunny. High 69F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..
Clear skies. Low 43F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: May 14, 2026 @ 10:30 am
Maj. Billy Louya of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office asked the Davidson County Board of Commissioners on Monday night to support the office’s application for a federal grant to fund the Bridge House recovery housing project. Grant writer Sharon Pope stands next to him. The commissioners supported the request.
Maj. Billy Louya of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office asked the Davidson County Board of Commissioners on Monday night to support the office’s application for a federal grant to fund the Bridge House recovery housing project. Grant writer Sharon Pope stands next to him. The commissioners supported the request.
The Davidson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to support the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in pursuing a $1.289 million federal grant aimed at strengthening recovery services for people leaving jail.
If awarded, the funding through the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Use Program would help launch the long‑discussed “bridge house” project, providing short‑term housing and support services for former Davidson County Detention Center inmates immediately after release.
Maj. Billy Louya told the commissioners the project would fill a critical gap for people who begin medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) while incarcerated but have nowhere safe to continue their recovery once released. The lack of stable, substance‑free housing has been one of the biggest challenges since the county launched its MAT program in 2024, often putting individuals at risk of relapse before they can secure placement in a long‑term treatment program. The bridge house has been on the sheriff’s office wish list for nearly two years as a way to help sustain recovery, reduce recidivism and improve community safety.
The total cost is estimated to be $2.4 million, Louya said after the meeting. If the sheriff’s office receives the grant, it will apply to also use $1.143 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund that the county has already received. Louya said the county has received approximately $8 million so far from the settlement and has been careful in planning how it will use the funding. It will receive a total of about $23 million in the coming years.
“I would strongly support this,” Commissioner Steve Shell said, with the four other commissioners in attendance echoing his sentiments. Commissioners Fred McClure and Chris Elliott were absent from the meeting.
The commissioners moved the presentation by the sheriff’s office up on the meeting agenda to help the office meet the 7:59 p.m. Monday deadline to apply for the grant. A letter of support from the board had to accompany the grant application.
“There is really a need here for a home for the post-incarcerated so they do not have to return to to that same environment where active drug use is still occurring,” Louya said.
Jill Doss-Raines is the senior reporter at The Dispatch. Contact me at jill.doss-raines@the-dispatch.com.
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