May 2, 2009 in City

House of Charity faces funding bind

Overnight housing may close for summer
Kevin Graman Staff writer
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Tags: homelessness House of Recession social services

The House of Charity will close its overnight accommodations for homeless men during the summer unless it can find additional funding.

The shelter will remain open during daytime hours Monday through Saturday and it will continue all other services. But it will close its 108-bed sleeping program on May 31 and not open it again until fall, according to a notice distributed at the House of Charity, 32 W. Pacific Ave.

However, Robert McCann, executive director of the shelter’s parent organization, Catholic Charities, said no final decision has been made. He was still hopeful the shelter will be able to …

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One comment on this story so far. Add yours!

  • ChefGus on May 02 at 8:45 a.m.

    Kevin, thank you for your fine article. As always you draw a careful picture of the reality of low income and homeless issues in our county. Mr Murray has been volunteering in my kitchen for seven months, and has during that time been an on again off again resident at HOC when he could not find other housing. He is a fine example of what the process to help folks back on their feet who have had their lives take a turn downward.

    I can/could share many stories about the transition from HOC to a new life that occurs… a big part of that is our morning feeding program… the hot breakfast with 1200 or more calories gets people started.. your mama was right. breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. Shalom at Central Methodist is a finger in the dike as well.

    In my view the city should come up with funding for this need during the summer for HOC. There will be deaths if does not come through. There are gangs of young folks swirling around the streets currently downtown that rob and beat the homeless men and women.

    For those that want further insight into how it is to be schizophrenic or mentally ill, or drug addicted you can go see “The Soloist” currently running at AMC and other theaters…it is SlumDog Millionaire a la Los Angeles/Spokane.

    Mr Murray is getting a strong recommendation from me as my prep cook in the morning as a volunteer for seven months in his quest for a job in a local restaurant.

    Thanks for keeping this before the community. Best regards ChefGus

    Shalom Ministries at Central Methodist Church
    Breakfast Mon-Thurs at 07:30- 09:30, and Dinners at 16:30 on Monday evenings. Come on down and serve or see us some time.. :))

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