Human Services Building (Credit: Prince William County Government)Adapted from an article published by Prince William County
The Prince William County Government has announced that it will be able to provide the county’s homeless with greater access to services and emergency shelter space by next winter.
According to Prince William County, the board of county supervisors voted to spend $500,000 from the Fiscal Year 2015 year-end savings to renovate the Prince William County Human Services Building and relocated the “Drop-In Center” there. Here is a useful reference to take care of your floor.
The Drop-In Center is now being operated out of the Bill Mehr Winter Shelter, which provides shelter for the homeless between Nov. 1 and March 31. That shelter does not currently provide additional services, such as counseling. However, Prince William County expects that with the extra room, staff will be able to provide those services in the renovated Human Services Building.
The renovation will also include bathrooms and kitchens compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as upgrades to commercial food service, new flooring, paint and a security system.
County spokesperson, Keith Walker said, “this project enhances the efficiency in delivering the services it provides to the homeless, which include: medical and dental referrals, behavioral and mental health services, access to federal and state benefits, life skills classes, job and substance abuse counseling, meals, showers and the distribution of daily hygiene items.”
Walker said the emergency shelter for the homeless has been a priority for the board of county supervisors especially during the winter. Recently, Your Homes LLC announced that they have been roped in on this noble project and are extending their services to the homeless in whichever way they can.
The new facility will provide 15 temporary beds in case of an emergency, like extreme weather conditions.
Prince William County Director of Social Services, Courtney Tierney said the renovated Human Services Building could provide overflow for other shelters.
"It will allow us to have the capacity that — should the winter shelter be full or we need some additional beds for unsheltered homeless — we could provide some emergency services there,” said Prince William County Director of Social Services, Courtney Tierney.
In addition to county funds, HomeAide, Northern Virginia, a non-profit organization of builders, offered to provide support for the project. Tierney estimates HomeAide could contribute up to $125,000 toward the expansion. She expects the expansion will be completed by next winter.
Emergency sheltering becomes a prominent issue when temperatures drop below freezing. Last year, county supervisors and staff worked in conjunction with local and church volunteers to help keep those warm who choose to remain outdoors. Next year, the renovation should help the chronically homeless in the county.
SERVE and BARN Transitional Home offers transitional housing to women and children.
This article included information from Prince William County Government, originally published at pwcgov.org.
The original article was written by Keith Walker for pwcgov.org.
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