Johnstown City Council no longer considering Victim Services' shelter proposal

Dave Sutor, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·1 min read

Oct. 12—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Johnstown City Council on Wednesday withdrew a proposal to have Victim Services operate a non-congregate shelter in downtown.

The Rev. Sylvia King, Deputy Mayor Michael Capriotti, Ricky Britt and Charles Arnone voted to do away with the resolution that had been tabled since August. Marie Mock and Laura Huchel opposed eliminating the proposal from consideration. Mayor Frank Janakovic was absent.

"The project needs to be reevaluated," said King, who made the motion to withdraw.

Victim Services CEO Michael Oliver declined to comment when asked for an interview.

City officials previously sent out a request for proposal looking for organizations interested in operating a homeless shelter in Johnstown, using $749,683 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan money.

Two nonprofits submitted separate proposals.

Victim Services was selected as the finalist for consideration. The organization's plan was to operate a shelter for abuse victims at a Vine Street location, just like it currently does at its Ferndale site. Council announced at September's regular monthly meeting that it wanted to discuss the matter at a public workshop that ultimately did not occur.

A plan put forth by Women's Help Center was never brought up for a vote.

"I think, right now, neither of the proposals we got really fit what we were looking for," Capriotti said. "We're going to just try to reevaluate."

What to do now concerning opening a new shelter in Johnstown "will be subject to further conversation with council," according to City Manager Ethan Imhoff.