A nonprofit is seeking Anne Arundel money to build a 45-bed shelter that it says will help stem the growing population of homeless people in the county.
“We?ve turned away 500 people, 10 of which were children,” said Joe Gill, president of the Lighthouse Shelter, which is operated by Annapolis Area Ministries.
“This is a excellent return in investment.”
Gill and development director Marilyn Baker made their case this week before the County Council.
Though County Executive John R. Leopold drafts the budget and proposes which nonprofits receive money, the council casts the final vote on county spending.
The 22,000-square-foot facility, including an employment center and classrooms, would be in Annapolis, closer to services that homeless people would need, Gill said. The current facility has 15 beds.
The group needs $4.3 million to complete the project and is asking the county for $1.4 million to be spread out over six years ? making the funding a “capital budget item.”
Gill said the facility usually moves people out of the shelter and into housing within 45 days of arrival. Those who arrive at the shelter must be working or finding a job.
“It?s a program that works and provides services that get people back on their feet,” Gill told the council.
But his request comes two months before Anne Arundel begins to craft its budget ? one that many see as being tighter than in years past.
Nonprofits were the target of funding cuts last year, when Leopold was looking to limit spending.
Officials are uncertain of how much funding nonprofits will receive in the fiscal 2009 budget.
“I hate to see them decimated, because a lot of groups do worthwhile work,” said Councilman Ed Middlebrooks, R-District 2.
“I think the shelter does great work, and homelessness is not a problem that is diminishing,” said Councilman Josh Cohen, D-District 6.
The state has said its funding to nonprofits will be cut this year. Gill said the shelter has received a $250,000 grant.
But as to the hope for more state funding, “it?s not something to rely on,” Gill said.
