MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Local officials are exploring the possibility of small structures on the grounds of Hazel’s House of Hope to meet the housing needs of the community. The proposal is timely with the recent passage of the city of Morgantown camping ban in urban areas that will go into effect Oct. 4.
Hazel’s House of Hope is a clearing house for social services in the former Ramada Inn on Scott Avenue, managed by Morgantown Community Resources (MCR). MCR board member Ron Justice said they understand the importance of this growing issue and plan to help in some way.
The immediate priority is to get the 28-bed triage shelter at the facility reopened. Catholic Charities of West Virginia is taking over operations following the financial collapse of Bartlett Housing Solutions earlier this year.
“No matter where you landed on the issue, and I know it was a very passionate issue, we do not have enough beds in this community, and there is a lack of housing that needs to be met,” Justice said.
Justice said he recently met with Morgantown Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam on the site, who presented a proposal for tiny homes. The proposal for small homes first came from the Morgantown Church of Christ. Their proposal was based on small shelters they build in central American countries for shelter in impoverished areas.
“We have 10 acres there, and if there was someone who wanted to develop that, they certainly could,” Justice said. “We have a lot of hoops to jump through because we still have to get a zoning change and some other things.”
Justice said they have contacted Morgantown-based Mills Group, which is putting pen to paper in order to produce a potential design.
“They have laid out a diagram where we could provide about 30 additional spaces for tiny homes or small shelters,” Justice said. “Maybe even more permanent, like a two-bedroom facility.”
Currently there are seven apartments and an additional seven rooms in Hazel’s House of Hope that remain full, according to Justice. In the building, there are an additional 17 rooms that could be renovated to create an additional 34 beds.
“They are rental-type units, but some are HUD-supported and some are other types of support, and I can tell you they are always full, and there’s a waiting list,” Justice said. “We’re transitioning that away from Bartlett Housing Solutions right now.”
Next, Justice said there are meetings planned with community stakeholders and members of the Monongalia County Commission and Morgantown City Council. Those meetings could happen in the week.
“We need the ideas. We don’t have the solution, but we will certainly listen to the ideas,” Justice said. “So, that will be the next step.”