$13 million in ARP funds are going to homeless shelters in Louisville. What to expect

On the second floor of the Ozanam Inn, padlocks stop residents from using two toilets that regularly overflow, sending water into a programming office below.

The inn, part of the St. Vincent de Paul Louisville campus, serves as an emergency shelter for up to 70 homeless men.

Sam Schreier, the shelter's senior program manager, said the nonprofit hasn't had money to fix the building's extensive plumbing issues, which have left stains on the ceiling and created unsanitary conditions, but thanks to a new grant from Louisville's American Rescue Plan funds, the shelter and three others across the city will soon be able to make some much needed repairs.

City officials have allocated $13 million in ARP funds to be split by the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, Volunteers of America Mid-States and Wayside Christian Mission, with renovations at the properties expected to start this year.

Property needs assessments conducted at the sites in 2022 found an estimated $22.8 million is needed to fully renovate all four homeless shelters, but the funds awarded should help the nonprofit-run facilities address several property issues and even expand bed capacity, representatives for the shelters said.

Here's what to know about the repairs.

Those in need of emergency shelter should call 502-637-2337 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily to find an available bed.

Salvation Army

911 S. Brook St. | southernusa.salvationarmy.org/louisville

Grant amount: $2.75 million

One major concern for the Old Louisville shelter — housed in the former Male High School — is a brick smokestack that has started to show several large cracks, according to a property needs assessment.

"It has to come down," said Kelly Hutchinson, executive director of development and community relations for Salvation Army Louisville. "... The smoke stack is not safe or needed."

Hutchinson said the Salvation Army is still determining what it can accomplish with its portion of the funds, but it hopes to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and increase privacy in its emergency overnight shelters that can house more than 200 men, women and families.

Right now, the overnight shelters are made up of several dorms with bunk beds — in some cases with more than a dozen people staying in one room.

Hutchinson said she's unsure how the nonprofit will improve privacy, but employees want "to make it a more welcoming space and to feel less congregate."

The Salvation Army could potentially add more emergency beds for homeless men through the renovations, as well.

"We're very excited about the project," Hutchinson said. "It's something that is definitely needed. Our hope is certainly that people who are choosing to remain unsheltered will instead want to come in, which is really the first step. Start coming inside and creating those relationships and building trust to make change."

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St. Vincent de Paul

1034 S. Jackson St. | svdplou.org

Grant amount: $1.5 million

Schreier, the program manager, said St. Vincent de Paul is still working with an architect to map out its renovations, but plumbing fixes, a revised entrance ramp and general repairs — such as replacing damaged doorknobs and windows — are at the top of the Shelby Park center's wishlist.

"The mission of our organization is to house, feed and support those in need with compassion and dignity," he said. "... If the space doesn't look like we care about them, why would they care about themselves? I want to put my money where my mouth is."

Ozanam Inn opened as an emergency shelter in 1984 and recently became a 24-hour facility where residents can stay through the day to meet with case managers, mental health practitioners and other resource workers.

The shift has already resulted in more "positive exits," Schreier said, with more men leaving for permanent homes.

Funds for the renovations will not be enough to expand the shelter, but "anything to make the place more sanitary and livable would be helpful," he said.

Volunteers of America Mid-States

1321 S. Preston St. | voamid.org

Grant amount: $1.75 million

Like the Salvation Army, the Volunteers of America Mid-States shelter is a converted school building that's in need of some care, said Tamara Reif, senior director of housing services for the regional nonprofit.

"We'd love to make it a little bit more inviting, just with some modern upgrades," she said. "A fresh look throughout the whole space."

The shelter, called Unity House, is also located in Shelby Park and contains 23 beds or units reserved for homeless families.

Reif said proposed improvements to the property include replacing a ramp at the front entrance, renovating all shelter rooms and replacing Plexiglas at the intake desk with a sliding glass window.

"It's important we catch up and take care of the building the same way we take care of our families," she said. "... We want people to come here and be able to breathe a sigh of relief and say, 'I'm home for a while. I can settle down.'"

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Wayside Christian Mission

432 E. Jefferson St. | waysidechristianmission.org

Grant amount: $7 million

Wayside Christian Mission, in Phoenix Hill, is receiving the largest grant amount by far — but also has the largest repair needs.

A property needs assessment estimated $11.2 million should be invested in the property for repairs, including full renovations to its emergency men's and women's shelters.

Nina Moseley, chief operating officer at Wayside, said the nonprofit's priority is renovating a former office space into a new women's shelter, which would allow it to then expand its rooms for families with children.

"We're very excited about it because it's going to allow us to do a lot of things that have needed to be done for a long time," Moseley said of receiving the funds.

Wayside moved its administrative offices to Hotel Louisville on Broadway years ago, and the space they previously occupied has sat vacant ever since, Moseley said.

Money from the city's grant will be used to tear down several interior walls, put in bathrooms and buy furniture for the new women's shelter.

Wayside also hopes to address some mechanical and plumbing issues with the funds, as well as install new windows throughout the building, Moseley said.

"On that building, we haven't done anything since about 2005," she said. "... Just from age and being used by so many people, it needs a lot of TLC right now."

Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter @bloosemore.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville's homeless shelters granted $13M in ARP funds for repairs