Stand alone homeless shelter for older adults now planned
NEW YORK: A stand alone homeless shelter for older adults is now being planned by a church group.
According to Lane County officials, the Shankle Shelter will house 12 older adults with priority going toward those with health conditions.
The shelter will be housed in the former Bethel Temple Church on Brooklyn Street and is named after Reverend Arthur Shankle. The building was purchased by Lane County in 1996 and served as supported housing through ShelterCare until 2017.
The building has undergone extensive rehabilitation over the past few years, according to Lane County housing and community action manager Katie Budd.
“It’s a very large building, which is exciting because there is plenty of space for the residents to be able to move around and share and break bread and find space for themselves,” she said during a Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.
The one-story, 4,554-square-foot facility will feature seven resident rooms of varying sizes, a kitchen, bathrooms, common spaces and a patio area. According to the county, residents will also have access to medical and behavioral health resources, case management and assistance transitioning into permanent housing.
“The 12 residents who reside there will very much receive whole-person support, or holistic care as you often hear. There will be case management available, very much focused on stabilizing housing for the residents as well as their health,” said Budd. “We are really excited to see this facility open up. It will very much be a safe haven for seniors and an opportunity to help increase their overall quality of life.”
The county is seeking service providers for the shelter. Responses are due on Feb. 25.