Plans are in the works for a men’s Shalom House shelter at 2901 Ridge Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas.
The shelter will make improvements to the property before opening, according to a presentation made at a Unified Government Commission meeting on Jan. 6. The UG Commission approved a plan Jan. 6 for Catholic Charities to fix up the former Sanctuary of Hope retreat site, and move Shalom House there.
Shalom House was formerly near 13th and Parallel for about 40 years.
The site at 2901 Ridge Ave. will have 31 guest rooms, room for 35 cars along with a dining area, and may serve up to 60 individuals, according to Kevin Bentley, representing Catholic Charities.
Plans are for a slow ramp-up to maintain quality of services, he said.
More than $2 million will be invested in the improvements, he said.
The site will provide full wraparound services for men staying at Shalom House, he added. He also said there will be no walkup admissions, and referrals will be made from their programs and other agencies. They will conduct background checks and screening on individuals.
He also said there will be a security system and property at the site will be cleaned up. They may have to come back again for variances on buildings, according to planning officials.
Several people appeared in favor and against the project. Matt Watkins said it was a vital program serving the homeless.
Kasey Featherstone, who lives near the center, said she was excited about the program and it would lift many men out of poverty.
A neighbor who lives next to the property opposed it, saying she was concerned about her safety. Another resident was concerned about property values.
Paul Soptick, who lives near the site, said he was concerned about safety and he mentioned several areas to work on.
Commissioner Harold Johnson said homelessness was an increasing problem in the community, and needed to be addressed. He said the site provides a very discreet place in the community to do that.
Commissioners also asked the center to reach out to the neighbors and create a partnership at the neighborhood level.
Current Wyandotte County warming centers are listed online at https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/News-articles/Warming-Centers-Winter-2021-2022.
An emergency cold weather shelter has opened at the Reardon Center, 5th and State, for nights when the temperature is 25 degrees and below. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the shelter closes at 7 a.m. It is a first-come, first-served shelter. The entrance is off 5th Street.
My name is Michael schwab i lived at the shalom house for a year and ahalf and it saved my life due to the wonderful people that work there so thank you Catholic Charities for having such a wonderful place for homeless men to go to and I hope in the future that people find their way and be able to become successful after going through the program.