The Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter in Bristol Township could be expanded in the coming years.
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The county’s only around-the-clock shelter is located behind the Levittown Library by Five Points in Bristol Township’s Levittown section.
The shelter was operated by the American Red Cross until the nonprofit Family Service Association of Bucks County took over operations in 2012.
One constant complaint about the shelter is that it is full and there is a long waiting list.
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Julie Dees, the CEO of the Family Service Association, acknowledged to Bristol Township Council Thursday evening the space problems that exist. She said that the shelter serves about 80 people, including children and has a wait list of more than 200 people.
Credit: Submitted
For some time, the nonprofit has been working on a plan to expand the shelter and provide better services to the unhoused.
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“We have been thinking about how to make the Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter better,” said Dees.
Leaders from the Family Service Association have met with Bristol Township officials to discuss a proposal to construct a new two-story building in front of the existing building. The first floor would be for medical offices, case management, a child care center, and other services, while the second floor would be 30 individual rooms with bathrooms for families who are unhoused.
The first floor of the building would be open to the public.
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The current shelter would remain operational and renovated to enlarge living spaces. It will also continue to house a cafeteria.
The existing shelter, which has been in use for years, has a men’s and women’s dorm, with two trailers for extra capacity and for those who have COVID-19. Children presently stay in the womens’ dorm.
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In the current set up, the communal living design is “not ideal,” and the nonprofit wants to create a more dignified experience, Dees said.
Credit: Family Service Association
Bristol Township Council approved Dees’ request to work with the municipality to apply for a $1 million state grant for the project.
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Dees said about $7 million is already secured for the project, with the total cost expected to be between $10 million and $15 million.
“There’s such a need for a new and improved version of the shelter,” Dees said.
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Once funding is secured, the project is expected to take about three years to complete, according to Dees.
The new building and renovation of the existing facility would be part of a rebound for the site, which sits a few yards away from the new Lower Bucks County Government Services Center.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Councilperson Joe Glasson said the shelter project would complement the new and expanded government center.
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The shelter project would lead to the Family Service Association revamping part of their model. The new facility would allow them to lease out parts of the first floor of the new building and bring in revenue, Dees said.
The new revenue would help the nonprofit, which presently operates the shelter at a loss.
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Council President Craig Bowen and Councilperson Patrick Antonello both spoke in support of the project.
The proposed new building still has to go through the land development process.
The Family Service Association plans to hold a community meeting at the Levittown Library on November 17.
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