(South view rendering of the Vanport building soon to be renovated to serve as the TCBC Men’s Emergency Shelter. Rendering by architectural partner, WTW Architects. Photo provided by TCBC)
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The Cornerstone of Beaver County (TCBC) has secured funding to begin construction of Beaver County’s long-awaited 24-hour men’s emergency shelter. The shelter will fill a critical gap in the county’s housing-related crisis solutions.
Early in 2021, TCBC purchased the building at 697 State Street in Vanport and worked with WTW Architects on the renovation design.
Through a bidding process completed last December, Graham Construction was selected by the Community Development Program (CDP) of Beaver County and approved by Beaver County to serve as construction partner for the project. To move forward, however, additional funding was needed.
In a recent resolution of the Beaver County Board of Commissioners, $1 million of the county’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding was allocated for shelter construction. Funding from the Community Development Grant (CDBG) CV funds, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) CV funds, and Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) funds were also approved.
Beaver County Commissioners said in a joint statement, “The men’s emergency shelter is a priority. The lack of an in-county, 24-hour shelter that accepts men has created hardship and vulnerability that was significantly exacerbated by the pandemic. We are excited and honored to commit our support to The Cornerstone of Beaver County to ensure their successful completion and operation of this vital project. The men’s emergency shelter and all of its supportive services will strengthen and uplift our community.”
Community donations also play an important role in the men’s shelter build-out and ongoing operations. In December, TCBC received a major gift of $10,000 from PennEnergy Resources to assist with initial shelter construction costs.
“We are pleased to support construction of the new emergency men’s shelter in Beaver County. This is a critical need that has been lacking in our community and we are honored to partner with the dedicated staff at TCBC to help make it happen,” said PennEnergy Resources Chairman and CEO, Richard D. Weber.
With funding secured, plans are underway for a wall-breaking ceremony to celebrate the construction commencement of this highly-anticipated project.
It is estimated that the shelter will open in the summer of 2022.
“We are deeply grateful for the county’s unwavering commitment to this project, and we are inspired by the increasing support coming from the community,” said TCBC Executive Director Marie Timpano.
Timpano continued, “Since the beginning of winter, we have expressed our hope that this will be the last winter our community has to endure without a men’s emergency shelter. I’m thrilled to say that it looks like that hope is going to become a reality.”
Shelter build-out plans include accommodations for 24/7 emergency shelter and safety, case management and basic needs provisions, and a variety of supportive services to help shelter participants transition successfully to permanent housing, stability, and long-term independence.
A TCBC Men’s Emergency Shelter FAQ can be found at TCBC’s website, CornerstoneBeaver.org. Shelter updates can be found on the TCBC website and Facebook page @cornerstonebeaver.
For more information about TCBC’s emergency and permanent housing programs as well as utilities and basic needs assistance, visit CornerstoneBeaver.org or call 724-846-6400.