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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, call
December 11, 2000 Barbara Poppe,
614/221-9195
PROGRESS CONTINUES TO REBUILD LIVES OF HOMELESS MEN
Funding for new shelter development secured
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Community Shelter Board today announced $650,000 from private sources has been raised as part of a $1.5 million capital campaign to purchase and renovate the new Anchor Shelter for homeless men. The Columbus City Council is considering investing $600,000 in the shelter in support of the larger public-private partnership known as "Rebuilding Lives".
In June, Columbus City Council approved a zoning variance, clearing the way for the agency to convert the former Anchor Press printing facility into an emergency shelter.
"We are asking city council to invest in one of Columbus’ most worthy capital campaigns in recent history," said Barbara Poppe, executive director of the Community Shelter Board.
"This project is about more than bricks and mortar," she said. "It’s about rebuilding lives. With the city’s help, the Anchor Press building will be transformed into a temporary place to live for men with emergency housing needs."
Developing the shelter is key to implementing the Rebuilding Lives initiative. The city is an investor in this strategy to link homeless people to employment, community services and permanent housing, so that people can return to productive lives.
In addition to securing private funding, there has been other significant progress since council action last summer. The shelter operator, Lutheran Social Services, has selected an architect to draft designs for the building renovation and is developing staff and program plans.
The shelter is expected to open in July 2001. The facility will provide shelter for up to 95 men nightly and replace services at the Open Shelter paid for by the Community Shelter Board.
The shelter planners are working closely with members of the Milo-Grogan community to develop positive, responsive relationships. The Community Shelter Board and Lutheran Social Services are meeting with members of the Milo-Grogan Area Commission, the Milo-Grogan Business Association, the City of Columbus and Milo-Grogan neighborhood leaders to establish a Good Neighbor Agreement for the new facility.
When the community invests in the Anchor site, we are doing more than providing shelter, showers and shaves. We are bringing real change into people’s lives," Poppe said.
Donors for the new shelter understand that solving homelessness requires creativity and resources. "The investment we are requesting from the City tonight, has been matched with private dollars, With council’s approval of this investment, we need to raise only $250,000 more from the private sector to make the Anchor Shelter a reality," Poppe said.
Private-sector supporters include Bank One, NA, Columbus Foundation, Columbus Medical Association Foundation, Crane Plastics Company, Ingram White Castle Foundation, Hattie & Robert Lazarus Fund, Nationwide Foundation and Wolfe Associates, Inc.
The Scioto Peninsula Relocation Task Force developed the Rebuilding Lives plan in 1998. The task force studied the problem of homelessness in Columbus and found that 15 percent of homeless men in Franklin County use 50 percent of all shelter services. The task force’s plan to end this cycle of homelessness included the creation of permanent, affordable housing combined with counseling, job training and other support services. As part of the Rebuilding Lives plan, 800 supportive housing units will be built throughout central Ohio. The strategy of the Rebuilding Lives plan is to ensure a safety net of shelters with services to connect shelter residents to housing, employment and services in geographically distinct areas of Franklin County. As a result of the Rebuilding Plan commitments, the Community Shelter Board now requires all shelters to be certified to meet standards for safety and financial accountability. Additionally, shelters must also enter into Good Neighbor Agreements with their communities to promote open communication.
The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a non-profit intermediary organization that coordinates community based efforts, fosters collaboration, and funds services to assist families and individuals in Central Ohio to resolve their housing crisis. The Community Shelter Board allocates $6.0 million annually to support programs at 15 agencies. Last year, these programs served more than 11,000 individuals. The Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Franklin County, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Sate of Ohio, and other public and private donors.
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