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closeHomeless shelter to expand
Group to build 2,700 square foot addition to house
Anne Danahy
- adanahy@centredaily.comSTATE COLLEGE — A community organization that provides help and shelter to the homeless has plans to expand its building and who it is serving.
Housing Transitions Inc. gave a presentation Thursday night on its plans for renovation and an addition to its emergency shelter, 217 E. Nittany Ave. The project will cost an estimated $800,000, and will include building a 2,700 square foot addition to the current house.
Executive Director Ron Quinn said the addition will mean permanent, supportive housing for people who currently are in and out of the shelter. Often, that is people who have problems with addiction, mental health issues or disabilities.
Board President Benson Lichtig said the organization has already raised $550,000 toward the project. That money has come from local, state and federal grants, including support from Centre County and State College.
“This is, I think, a development that is greatly needed,” Lichtig said.
The gathering Thursday night in the borough building included a video about the shelter, along with a model of the addition, which State College architect Dan Willis designed.
Housing Transition’s shelter, known as Centre House, provides an emergency, temporary place to live for county residents. It has room for about 15 people, and served more than 1,300 households in 2008-09.
Plans include renovations and building a 2,700 square foot addition that will have room for eight people who need longer-term housing.
“It’s important because it’s geared to serve a population that’s been underserved and somewhat overlooked in terms of their housing needs,” Lichtig said later. “A lot of times (housing) is a critical factor in whether they can succeed or not.”
Housing Transitions plans to break ground in summer 2010, and construction is expected to take one to one and a half years. The nonprofit plans to begin a campaign to raise the rest of the money needed for the project in spring 2010.
Anne Danahy can be reached at 231-4648.
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