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New Name for Homeless Shelter Recognizes Builder Efforts
Demonstrating the commitment of builders to lend a helping hand to the community even in today’s tough economic times, home builders in Montgomery County, Md. earlier this month gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony at a facility for homeless men they played a key role in building and expanding.
The charitable arm of the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association — the Home Builders Care Foundation — was behind the original construction of the facility in 2000 and participated in the recent improvement project.
The public-private partnership facility provides emergency shelter, temporary housing and onsite supportive services to homeless men in Montgomery County. In recognition of the builder’s efforts, the shelter has been renamed the Home Builders Care Assessment Center.
The project added 3,780 square feet to the existing 5,000-square-foot building.
The capacity of the original building was 100 men, but demand for shelter and services for homeless individuals increased dramatically since then.
On any given day, there are an estimated 1,100 people whoe are homeless in the county, including 50 single adult men. Seventy-two percent of homeless adults in the county have at least one disability, such as mental illness, substance abuse, a developmental disability or a chronic health problem. Twenty-six percent of homeless adults in the county work but cannot afford housing.
As a result of the builders’ efforts, an on-site trailer that served as overflow sleeping space for 35 men has been closed and there are now 35 new beds in the building.
The addition also provides space for a range of new on-site services — including new laundry, bathroom and shower facilities; two medical examination rooms; and a meeting space and computer lab for educational and vocational activities.
Winchester Homes acted as the Home Builders Care Foundation’s builder captain for the addition.
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