Leaphart Place was built by Growing Home Southeast as a launching pad for young adults who are aging out of foster care or other state-assisted living arrangements and are at risk for homelessness. Residents are recommended by Social Services or Mental Health caseworkers and must be approved by a three-person panel, including a Lexington County Mental Health specialist who provides residents with counseling services. While the 20-apartment facility qualifies as permanent housing, the goal is to help residents learn the everyday skills so they can live independently: how to make a budget, how to shop and prepare meals, how to dress for a job interview. Most of the residents participate in counseling sessions for issues ranging from anger management to bi-polar disorder. On Mondays, residents meet to discuss issues that come up at the complex to help them learn to resolve differences in a positive way. Construction on the $1.8 million facility began in January 2008 and the first residents arrived in August. Funding came from a variety of sources.   Residents pay rent based on their income. Some receive Social Security disability benefits, some get state assistance and others have jobs. They range in age from 18-25 and come from all parts of South Carolina. Residents must spend at least 25 hours a week being productive. That means working, going to school or volunteering. Leaphart Place has a commons room where residents can access the Internet, watch television and make phone calls. Once a month, there is a planned offsite activity. Each apartment has a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen with dining area and a sitting area. A coin-operated laundry facility is available onsite. The apartments are on the bus line during the week, but most residents lack transportation services on weekends.