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Catholic Charities outlines Angel’s Watch shelter operations, funding gap and asks for support for House Bill 93
Summary
Amanda Chesney, executive director of housing and homeless services at Catholic Charities, told the Southern Maryland delegation that Angel’s Watch family emergency shelter has a roughly $1.4 million annual budget, operates 24/7 with about 26 staff, serves up to 20 beds nightly and relies in part on recurring Maryland Housing Solutions funding while covering a substantial deficit.
Amanda Chesney, executive director of housing and homeless services at Catholic Charities, briefed the Southern Maryland delegation on Angel’s Watch, the agency’s family emergency shelter serving Southern Maryland, and requested continued state support for emergency‑shelter operations.
Chesney said Angel’s Watch in Waldorf (physically in Charles County) operates 24/7, has 30 individual locked rooms with private bathrooms and two bunk configurations so families can stay together, and ordinarily operates up to 20 beds per night. During hypothermia season the facility opens a multipurpose space and expands capacity by an additional 10–20 beds as needed. She said Angel’s Watch served 316 people in the last fiscal year, including children; at times about half of occupants are children.
Chesney described the shelter’s staff and budget: Angel’s Watch has approximately 26 staff to maintain 24‑hour coverage and an annual budget of roughly $1,400,000. She said the Maryland Housing Solutions recurring funding has been a "real lifeline," but that the agency still runs a substantial deficit and that operational costs — including 24‑hour staffing, security and family support services — create ongoing funding pressure.
Chesney urged delegates to support House Bill 93, legislation the state is developing to create a certification program for emergency shelters. "We're confident we will meet any standard that is laid down," she said, but added that certification should be matched by state funding to cover the costs of meeting new standards. Senator Jackson asked about the Archdiocese's contributions; Chesney said the Archdiocese's direct support is typically less than 1% of the agency’s annual budget and offered to provide more detailed documentation to the delegation.
Ending: Delegates thanked Catholic Charities and invited follow‑up information; no formal vote or commitment of funds occurred during the meeting.
