The Jan. 22 story "Homeless resource center relocation plans meet opposition" described the good work being done at the crowded Route 1 Day Resource Center (DRC).
The hundreds of volunteers and the bountiful outpouring of donations of food, clothing and supplies from the community make the economical-to-run DRC a model of service delivery. Grassroots reports a current annual operating budget of under $140,000 of which is $46,681 is for rent and utilities. On any of their three half days per week, they report currently serving an average of 75 persons. Annually, they report serving over 600 different individuals with at least one service in a years' time.
That formerly economical service delivery model changes significantly, however,if the county proceeds with the Ulman Administration plan. Will spending more than 100 times the current annual budget for rent and utilities (the estimated first floor share of the construction cost of the new complex) truly help us to end homelessness? Or, is it prioritizing an edifice over people's needs?
Why not put the construction money into additional vouchers to house people now and relieve the overcrowding at the DRC by opening a second rented facility elsewhere?
Ellen Long
Savage