Beacon, a service and shelter provider for people experiencing homelessness in Monroe County, plans to move to the west side of town.
Rev. Forrest Gilmore, the executive director of Beacon, said a new building on West Third Street won’t happen for two or three years, as plans still need to be cleared by the city and for funding efforts to move forward.
Beacon’s petition to the Board of Zoning Appeals said the new center would be 45,000 square feet and two stories. The lower level would hold day-center services such as a kitchen and showers, along with the overnight shelter. The second floor would hold administrative offices, twenty permanent supportive living units, and five studio apartments for staff who have experienced homeless.
“The biggest thing we're trying to do is expanding housing and that's something that I'm very excited about, because we're really emphasizing solutions in our work,” Gilmore said.
Beacon’s 2021 report said the organization sheltered more than 600 people through its low-barrier and isolations shelters that year. It also housed 110 people who were previously homeless.
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Today, Beacon provides services from three centers across town. The petition said the new location would allow Beacon Inc to consolidate and offer multiple services from one place.
“On the day center side, we're really trying to just improve the quality of our services, primarily in health and employment," Gilmore said.
Beacon will present its case at the board of zoning appeal’s next meeting, October 19th.
