Details are not yet available, but Staunton City Council discussed the possibility of having its own Day Shelter for the homeless.
At last night’s regular meeting, Staunton Mayor Michele Edwards introduced the idea and described the amenities available at the Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry cold-weather shelter.
“And this is what I would love to see for downtown Staunton,” she said.
The hope would be for a city buy-in with the shelter, in a location that would provide transportation options for the homeless. City council agreed that the Day Shelter should be part of the city’s larger housing strategy, because the goal is to create stable housing for all residents, not just a day shelter.
City staff will begin researching the idea.
Councilmember Corrie Park, who owns and operates Made By the People, For the People, said that as a downtown business owner she and her staff see when the homeless get dropped off during the day and have nowhere to go.
Vice Mayor Brad Arrowood clarified that the Day Shelter would not require city staff because it would not be a city service.
“I definitely applaud your efforts,” he said and added his support to the idea.
Councilmember Alice Woods said that WARM could serve as an agent to Staunton’s Day Shelter.
“Who wouldn’t want to see it implemented?” she said.
Councilmember Blake Sheppard said “it’s our duty” to take care of members of the community.
Rebecca Joyce, the city’s Housing Planner and Grant Coordinator, said that the Day Shelter could be included in the city’s housing strategy and that she will include it in a draft of the strategy.
Councilmember Jeff Overholtzer said that it is “really a well thought out, integrated program that connects with what other agencies are already doing for this population.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how our community can come together to make this happen,” Edwards said.
City Manager Leslie Beauregard said that she thinks she and other staff “understand the charge” to start a plan for a Day Shelter in Staunton.
Related stories
For related stories, search “homelessness” on Augusta Free Press.
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Rebecca Barnabi
