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Shelter Alliance reports expanded services but says search for permanent building continues
Summary
The Shelter Alliance told commissioners it opened a donation-based shelter closet and expanded cold-weather funding but still lacks a permanent building; the group said it has pipeline support for services and potential staff but needs a facility to sustain programs and hire a director.
Representatives of the Shelter Alliance updated Kent County commissioners Jan. 9 on efforts to expand emergency services for people experiencing homelessness and reported progress on several fronts while saying they have not secured a permanent facility.
An Alliance representative said the organization opened a “shelter closet” at Camp Plaza (the former Hidden Treasures storefront) that will operate weekly as a donation-based resource where people in need may receive one free bag of donated items per week. The group also reported additional funding to expand emergency cold-weather services from three days to seven days on a case-by-case basis for people who do not meet Samaritan Shelter eligibility.
The Alliance said it will consider helping with security deposits and application fees for housing placement, but that it has been unable to find an apartment or house for a family of five that has lived at a temporary location (the Driftwood) for more than a year. The group said it has partnerships in place for financial counseling, eviction prevention, nutrition coaching and job training, and that volunteers and community partners have agreed to provide classes. However, the Alliance said the lack of a physical building limits its ability to hire a full-time director and to scale services.
Alliance representatives said they met with state legislators and local partners and continue to seek property options; they urged commissioners to help identify a building so the group can move from ad-hoc service delivery to a sustained program capacity. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the report and encouraged continued coordination among providers and funding partners.
