The Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS), in collaboration with the Housing Commission of Talbot, is pleased to announce the receipt of a $50,000 technical assistance grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The grant is for a needs assessment, feasibility study and the preliminary site and building design for a year-round homeless shelter in Talbot County.
Very tentative and initial assessments place the construction of a homeless shelter at about $1 million. The project could break ground in 2014.
TIS, which is in its fifth season, is a voluntary, faith-based organization that offers emergency cold-weather shelter overnight from December through early April. With the help of our partner congregations and hundreds of volunteers, the shelter rotates among faith campuses every two weeks or so. On average, TIS provides about 500 bed nights per season.
Since TIS started, the board of directors has sought a way to provide year-round shelter to more people. With the current model, guests must leave each day at 7 a.m. and may return at 6 p.m. In addition, TIS’ capacity is limited to five guests per night because of strict fire codes.
And since TIS is run by volunteers, our guests are screened for criminal backgrounds, drugs or alcohol, which eliminates many of those who need shelter. This January, for instance, TIS received about 40 calls for shelter. Out of those 40, only three were eligible.
A permanent shelter would allow for much more inclusive sheltering options for those who are homeless, including families and children.
Contacts:
John Clizbe, TIS board president, 703-638-8934
Don Bibb, Housing Commission of Talbot, 410-822-5358; 410-745-5121
The Talbot Interfaith Shelter is a volunteer, interfaith-based service ministry in Talbot County dedicated to providing safe, temporary shelter to men, women and children who lack adequate housing. TIS also is dedicated to raising awareness about homelessness in our community. TIS is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a public foundation designated as a 501(c)(3) charity.
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