Homeless Shelter to Provide Support BY HARRY JOHNSTON
hotel/motel voucher program can help more men. A team of local nonprofit agencies has been working with The program envisioned would include housing for up to the county to establish a homeless shelter. Although there is 90 days, with day care to allow women to work, as well as a need, there’s no short-term homeless shelter in Cherokee support services to help them get into independent housing. County now. Area nonprofits have funds for hotel-motel The operating cost is expected to be more than $1 million vouchers for up to 30 days, but it’s expensive, and the funds per year. Funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act aren’t nearly enough to meet the need. (ARPA) can cover that cost through at least The school system has identified around 2024, and possibly through 2026. The shelter 250 kids who don’t have homes, and most are The project would need other grants and private donations in single-mother families. Some women and to fund it for the longer term, and the team children are staying temporarily with friends team has believes that can be done. or relatives, and some are in extended-stay recommended The county has earmarked some local motels. But, some actually are living in cars or funds to buy the facility and start the needed squatting in makeshift structures. It’s harder that this shelter but more is needed. There are to count homeless men. The last official count serve women and adaptation, plenty of ARPA funds available, but it’s still was approximately 60 unsheltered, but we unclear whether they can be used for capital know there are more than that. children … costs, such as building renovations. We hope to To help meet this need, there is an know that later this year. If they can, the initial opportunity to repurpose the former Tippens financial hurdles mostly will be met. Elementary facility in the north Canton mill village. The There are still concerns about community and public school system no longer uses it, but has kept it maintained. acceptance of a shelter program, and there will be other It has 12 classrooms in the main building, and five more challenges. But, the available facility and the ARPA funds to in an annex, that each could make one to two efficiency get the shelter started make this a real possibility. apartments. The former gym could serve the shelter and As always, I’m interested in your feedback about this or surrounding community, and provide additional overnight other county topics. Email me at hjohnston@cherokeega.com. shelter space in extreme cold weather. The project team has recommended that this shelter serve women and children, partly because the surrounding community will be more accepting of them. Additionally, except for emergency cold-weather situations, the team Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee doesn’t believe it will work well to mix men and women County Board of Commissioners. He's a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former and children at the same site. But, if the shelter can meet a district commissioner. large portion of the need among women and children, the
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | November 2021
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