ST. ALBANS, Vt. (WCAX) – Help is on the way for homeless kids in St Albans.
Spectrum Youth & Family Services announced Friday they will open a year-round, 10-bed permanent shelter on Lake Street. The Champlain Housing Trust will own the building and rent it to Spectrum using state tax dollars.
Advocates say it will fill a vital need in Franklin County. “Opening a shelter where you know you are going to sleep at night is going to be super impactful in helping these youth succeed and move forward,” said Spectrum’s Stefanie Comstock.
“There’s only 16 shelter beds in St Albans already and there’s a long waitlist for that, and that’s for all ages. So, having a safe space for youth to go that’s built especially for them is really critical,” said Spectrum’s Sarah Woodard.
Some zoning regulations need to be approved before the center opens, which officials hope will happen by January.