County Officials Open New Mens Emergency Shelter In Rockville

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CONTACT: Mary Anderson, 240-777-6534

COUNTY OFFICIALS OPEN
NEW MENS EMERGENCY
SHELTER IN ROCKVILLE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2000

County officials were joined today by the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless and the Homebuilders Care Foundation in cutting the ribbon on the newly completed Men's Emergency Shelter in Rockville.

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Director Charles L. Short, representing the County Executive, and County Councilmember Blair Ewing, chair of the Council's Health and Human Services Committee, were joined by Sharan London, executive director of the Coalition and Chip Merlin, president of the Homebuilders Care Foundation.

The 5800-square foot shelter will house up to 100 men and will replace the current three trailers located on the same site at 600 East Gude Drive. The current trailers have limited sleeping space, only two toilets and one shower, and no food preparation facilities.

"This new shelter will help men in need get back on their feet and be more self-sufficient," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "I commend the Homebuilders for their role in this project and for their commitment in helping to house the homeless. Congratulations to the Coalition for the Homeless on this new facility."

In the fall of 1999 the County approved $530,000 in spending to assist the Homebuilders Care Foundation in constructing the building. In-kind contributions in services and materials total approximately $500,000.

"On a cold February day someone who is suffering will be able to find shelter here," said Councilmember Blair Ewing, "and that's what this is about. It's also about the need to ensure that the homeless have adequate space and a decent place to be. They are among the most vulnerable of our citizens and this shelter makes good on a moral contract we have to help them."

There are more than 3,000 homeless men, women and children in Montgomery County and last winter the trailers at Gude Drive were used by 720 different homeless men.

"This new building is very exciting," said Sharan London, director of the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. "It is a validation of the vulnerable men who work every day to overcome their own difficulties."

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services' shelter services program is responsible for planning and developing services for the homeless on a year-round basis, as well as formulating special plans for weather crises. Throughout the year, the shelter director services to individuals who need help overcoming the issues that have led to their homelessness.

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