New homeless shelter in Youngwood funded by $2.1M in federal cash

A homeless shelter planned in the Youngwood area would fill a need in Westmoreland County, the director of a Greensburg nonprofit said.

A planned family shelter with 10 separate living units could make it easier for those living south of Greensburg, said Kristin Zaccaria, executive director of Homes Build Hope Inc., a nonprofit that owns the building that houses the Welcome Home shelter in Greensburg.

“They need to be where there is a lot of family support … to help with the kids” if need be, Zaccaria said of selecting the Youngwood area for the shelter.

Dan Carney, executive director of the Union Mission, which is partnering with Homes Build Hope on the shelter, said he hopes to begin work later this year.

Neither Carney nor Zaccaria would specify where the shelter would be located.

About $2.1 million of Westmoreland County’s American Rescue Plan Act Home Investment Partnerships Program would pay for the shelter, Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas said. That federal funding stream was intended to help people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

The money would be used to acquire and renovate a facility to serve as the family shelter, Zaccaria said.

“There is a very profound need” for a long-term shelter for the homeless in the county, Kopas said.

Those involved in providing shelter, emergency as well as long-term, have identified the need for additional long-term shelter for families, Zaccaria said.

While the organizations aiding the homeless are planning their next project, the Union Mission and Homes Build Hope are close to opening a new shelter in Derry Township, Carney said. Construction of that facility was funded by $2.6 million in ARPA HOME funding the county received.

The 12-unit, 8,400-square-foot building should be available for occupancy in late March, Carney said. There are single- as well as multi-bedroom units, Carney said.

In the meantime, Union Mission will be in the process of training staff to be ready for residents, Carney said. He anticipates the occupants of the shelter will move into the facility in phases.

Even before the shelter is occupied, Zaccaria said, there are plans to add four more units at the Derry Township site, which would cost an additional $800,000. The building was constructed on a concrete slab that would allow for expansion, with enough space on the property to accommodate 20 units.

“There is a need for the whole county” to have these kind of shelters, Carney said.

While the Trump administration has sought to halt some funding through ARPA, such as energy-­related projects, Zaccaria said she is not aware of any holdup of the funds to address homelessness.

“We are moving through this as if it’s business as usual. We have not been made aware (of any problem) from the county,” Zaccaria said.