PEORIA (25News Now) – Dream Center Peoria announced an expansion at their “Surrounded” event Thursday that will more than double the shelter’s capacity.
Executive Director Andy King said Dream Center has seen an increase in families who are unhoused. The shelter was built for 120 people, but they were seeing between 140 to 180 people each night. So, they are changing.
The 21 apartments at the Dream Center will become a non-congregate emergency shelter, with individual spaces for families. This will more than double the shelter’s capacity to 259 people.
“That is a huge thing for the city to be able to really help people with dignity, compassion, and purpose. But also be able to care for them and also have focused case management,” King said.
One of the team’s main goals for the non-congregate shelter is keeping families together. But, leaders also say that research supports this as one of the best ways to get people out of homelessness.
They already have one floor full, but over the next few weeks they will fill others as the spaces are ready. Opening this space is the result of years of work.
“We are so excited because we are getting to celebrate some things that we have dreamt about over the last few years and we’re watching them come about and it means that we get to serve more people,” said Denise Bailey, Dream Center’s Business Administrator.
Dream Center Peoria first proposed a non-traditional shelter, potentially in a different location, last year. But, city council members and Mayor Rita Ali opposed having the project anywhere near Dream Center’s existing campus. Now, the new kind of shelter will remain in the same building.
But, making this change means they have to give up a $250,000 federal grant for permanent supportive housing. Dream Center is looking for individuals and organizations to “adopt” apartments as they seek funding for the project.
Dream Center also announced Thursday that they are expanding their footprint in Washington, taking over “My Sister’s House,” a home for women, which will join their existing “Zoe House”, another women’s home. The previous leaders of “My Sister’s House” are retiring.
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