MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown residents have called for city officials to address funding concerns for the area warming shelter.
Close to a dozen residents asked councilors for more funding to keep warming shelters open during the upcoming winter. This comes while officials are still working to secure funding or a third-party who would operate a warming shelters.
“We cannot have members of our community perish in the middle of the cold, I’m concerned that’ll actually happen,” said resident Amanda Goddard. “I would like to see as much funding put in to support a winter shelter as possible.”
Councilor Danielle Trumble addressed public comments at the end of the meeting, where she stated that conversations have been ongoing with local stakeholders since April. Amidst the conversations, Trumble acknowledged the city and county have designated money for the project, but no local organization has taken up the task of hosting a 24-hour warming shelter from November through March. As winter closes in Trumble, a Hazel’s House of Hope board member, put out the call for any organization willing to host a warming shelter similar to what was housed at the facility last year to reach out to the city.
“If anyone has any kind of plan and funding is an issue, please come to us,” Trumble said. “I have put my own personal time into this; we certainly do not want to see anyone in the elements,” she said.
Trumble also negotiations are underway with The Bartlett House to expand their warming shelter capacity from 28 to 40. Families with children or expectant mothers will be able to use a hotel program through RAMP, a volunteer group working through the First Presbyterian Church.
According to the last point-in-Time count, approximately 122 people are currently considered unsheltered and homeless. According to volunteers who addressed the council in the public portion of the hearing, the warming shelters hosted at Hazel’s House of Hope during the 2022-23 winter were filled to capacity on a regular basis, with a need to expand to more beds. With no firm plan in place for the 2023-24 winter, residents hope a shelter with increased capacity can be established before freezing temperatures arrive in Morgantown.
“I also worked last year at the warming shelter, and just the amount of people that I’ve seen that place help that would’ve likewise froze outside, warms my heart,” said Morgantown resident Tanner Ramsey. “And the thought of there not being one breaks my heart.”
Morgantown City Council also unanimously approved a resolution that accepts a $250,000 grant under the West Virginia Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant will support the construction of bike pump tracks, a smaller version of a BMX track at two BOPARC locations and will include a 50 percent match with BOPARC funds. The pump tracks will be built at the Decker Creek Trail and Valley Crossing, with other BOPARC-related improvements on the table.
“We’re looking at potentially doing some mountain biking trails through Whitmore Park and taking down the structure that is currently at Valley Crossing,” said Trumble, who also serves on the BOPARC board. “With the intention to put in this (pump track) as a trailside amusement, it’s really for younger children,” she said.
BOPARC Executive Director Melissa Wiles will be appointed by the council as the official administrator of the Land and Water Conservation Program Grant as part of the resolution.