The shelter had to turn people away most nights during the last sheltering season.
Kevin J. Noonan, executive director of Craig's Doors - A Home Association, Inc., in Amherst. AMHERST — Those running the winter shelter hope to talk to the Select Board Monday night about expanding the shelter after they were told this week they would not be able to expand this year.
Kevin J. Noonan, executive director of Craig's Doors, which provided shelter services at the First Baptist Church last winter for the first time, said the shelter had to turn people away most nights this past year.
He’s particularly concerned about women. “We’re seeing more and more women. That’s our primary concern. We see our program as harm reduction.” He submitted a management plan for eight additional beds, increasing capacity from 16 to 24. Currently there’s space for only four women, he said.
The First Baptist Church was willing to put in a third shower to satisfy state requirements, Noonan said. But Town Manager John P. Musante and other officials nixed the expansion proposal this year, Noonan said. He said officials were concerned thatCraig’s Doors is a new organization and wanted to wait a year or so before allowing for expansion.
The agency ran the shelter last year for the first time, but many involved, like Noonan, have been involved in similar services for years.
Noonan said officials were also concerned about people coming to town for shelter and not having enough services in place during the day to accommodate the need. The town has programs such as the Amherst Survival Center, which provides services four days a week.
But Musante said in an email that he will be updating the board. "I have made no final decisions on shelter contract or capacity issues as of yet," he wrote.
Noonan said the shelter doesn’t open until 9:30 p.m., so he’s worried about having to turn people away at that hour.
“We’re very pleased with the town,” he said, commending the town for devoting block grant money to the shelter that opens Nov. 1 and closes April 30. The block grant provides $90,000 toward the shelter operation. Craig’s Doors raises additional funding to meet budget needs. Last year, the town awarded $100,000 for services that cost $109,000, said Noonan, the former executive director of the Open Pantry Community Services in Springfield.
Noonan said they were planning to raise additional money to hire a third staff person to accommodate the additional people.
Musante, as town manager, is charged with negotiating contracts like this, not the Select Board. But in an email, board chairwoman Stephanie J. O'Keeffe said Musante appreciates board feedback.
The Select Board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. The manager is slated to present his shelter update to the board at 7:45 p.m.