Construction of a new shelter expected to increase the county’s ability to care for and assist the homeless could begin in 2024, Westmoreland County officials said Wednesday.
Officials outlined the plan to seek proposals for private providers to acquire land and build what could be a 12-unit shelter that would include individual accommodations for the homeless.
“Westmoreland County is not going to be acquiring and constructing a shelter. We are soliciting proposals from other agencies to develop this shelter,” said Jason Rigone, the county’s planning director.
Janet Parker, the county’s deputy director of planning and development, said details for the project, including the proposed shelter’s location, have not been determined.
The county has earmarked a portion of a $3.6 million federal grant for the shelter project. Those funds were awarded in 2021 as part of a $5 billion national allocation through the American Rescue Plan to address housing needs.
Construction of a new shelter was included in the county’s plan for the funds, which was the subject of a hearing Wednesday to solicit input into the proposal.
Parker said another $500,000 from the grant will be allocated toward providing other services, such as mental health treatment, transportation, child care, rental assistance and skills training, to the homeless.
According to Westmoreland’s study, there are about 154 shelter beds for homeless residents in the county. A $2.3 million state grant is being used to build a 12-bed shelter next to the Union Mission near Latrobe.
“We do need more shelter beds in the county. It’s a major need, and we’re looking to do this with this money,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said.
Commissioners are expected to approve Westmoreland’s homeless shelter plan this month and are awaiting a final sign-off from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is expected by mid-year.
“Our hope is we’ll be able to decide where this facility goes by the end of the year and break ground in 2024,” Rigone said.
