Shelter will offer temporary home to families in crisis
(Lafayette, Indiana) Families in a housing crisis will soon have a place for refuge in Tippecanoe County. It's all thanks to Family Promise of Greater Lafayette.
The 6,000 square foot shelter will be able to house five families at a time while adding a much needed resource in the community.
"When they become in a crisis, they have very few places to go," said Family Promise of Greater Lafayette Executive Director Laurie Earnst.
She said the area is in need of a place for homeless families.
"So many people, when they're in this situation, have no where to go and they don't have the funds that they need to get back into housing," Earnst added.
Greater Lafayette will soon have a new place for families thanks to a land donation from Faith CDC, and by a $560,000 grant from North Central Health Services.
"There will be numerous resources right at their fingertips right there on that property that they'll be able to access," said Earnst.
The two story building will be located next two the North End community Center, and families will be able to stay up to 60 days.
The time allows them to save money and utilize resources to help them get back on their feet.
"They'll have all the amenities of a regular house," she said. "A kitchen, a laundry room, a family room, an area for the children to have some downtime and a little play area, and we're going to have an onsite care taker that lives in that facility."
But it's being able to provide shelter to all families in need that makes the project special to Earnst.
"That's what makes us unique and gives people a place that they can go to get help," she said.
The facility is set to open in August of 2018, but money is still needed to fund the project.
To find out how to help, click here.