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The shelter for abused and battered women run by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition will close its doors this summer.
The move comes after years of uncertain funding that led to the shelter closing temporarily for two months last fall.
“We can't live like this year to year,” said coalition Executive Director Niko Johnson, explaining the shelter's state funding is again in jeopardy. “We need to pull back, build our programs around the money we know is there and then grow into other areas and look for funding to support the shelter. What that means is, we are going to shut down the shelter on June 30.”
Last year, DVSAC's yearly budget to operate the shelter, staff it around-the-clock and provide basic services — projected at $207,000 — was slashed amid state budget cuts confronting California's massive deficit.
The 12-bed shelter closed down for about two months before the coalition received $60,000 from the California Emergency Management Agency.
During the time the shelter was closed, 26 people sought emergency shelter through DVSAC, Johnson said. Staff found “other resources” to help some, but others decided to stay in their situation rather than face uncertainty in their housing, she added, calling such choices “heartbreaking.”
But that October funding was only for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and will run out in June, Johnson explained.
“Basically, we're losing the same money,” she said. “In the budget that is currently being looked at by the Legislature, the funds are not back in that budget.”
The only positive is that the coalition knows well ahead of time about the financial hit, instead of receiving just a few weeks' notice, Johnson said.
“There is a possibility those funds could be reinstated,” she said. “But we felt we needed to make a plan that is fiscally sound so we can continue to serve the community well, and not continue to be in crisis mode.”
The coalition board has decided to continue to offer its other services and to work to develop a shelter that is not exclusively state-funded, Johnson said.
The decision to close the shelter was “really scary,” she said, adding, “It does leave a huge gap — it was a lot of sleepless nights.”
The coalition will work closely with Placer County and Yuba City to place local residents needing shelter.
“We're looking at long-term safe housing here in Nevada County,” Johnson said. “Not motel nights — that's actually more dangerous. We're looking for places for the longer term, places where people could stay for 30 or 60 days.”
Even if funding is reinstated, the coalition likely will not reopen the shelter, Johnson said, opting instead to build for the future — possibly a smaller shelter that would be easier to manage.
“It's a pretty bold move,” she said. “I just hope and pray it will be the right thing for our community in the long run.”
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
The move comes after years of uncertain funding that led to the shelter closing temporarily for two months last fall.
“We can't live like this year to year,” said coalition Executive Director Niko Johnson, explaining the shelter's state funding is again in jeopardy. “We need to pull back, build our programs around the money we know is there and then grow into other areas and look for funding to support the shelter. What that means is, we are going to shut down the shelter on June 30.”
Last year, DVSAC's yearly budget to operate the shelter, staff it around-the-clock and provide basic services — projected at $207,000 — was slashed amid state budget cuts confronting California's massive deficit.
The 12-bed shelter closed down for about two months before the coalition received $60,000 from the California Emergency Management Agency.
During the time the shelter was closed, 26 people sought emergency shelter through DVSAC, Johnson said. Staff found “other resources” to help some, but others decided to stay in their situation rather than face uncertainty in their housing, she added, calling such choices “heartbreaking.”
But that October funding was only for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and will run out in June, Johnson explained.
“Basically, we're losing the same money,” she said. “In the budget that is currently being looked at by the Legislature, the funds are not back in that budget.”
The only positive is that the coalition knows well ahead of time about the financial hit, instead of receiving just a few weeks' notice, Johnson said.
“There is a possibility those funds could be reinstated,” she said. “But we felt we needed to make a plan that is fiscally sound so we can continue to serve the community well, and not continue to be in crisis mode.”
The coalition board has decided to continue to offer its other services and to work to develop a shelter that is not exclusively state-funded, Johnson said.
The decision to close the shelter was “really scary,” she said, adding, “It does leave a huge gap — it was a lot of sleepless nights.”
The coalition will work closely with Placer County and Yuba City to place local residents needing shelter.
“We're looking at long-term safe housing here in Nevada County,” Johnson said. “Not motel nights — that's actually more dangerous. We're looking for places for the longer term, places where people could stay for 30 or 60 days.”
Even if funding is reinstated, the coalition likely will not reopen the shelter, Johnson said, opting instead to build for the future — possibly a smaller shelter that would be easier to manage.
“It's a pretty bold move,” she said. “I just hope and pray it will be the right thing for our community in the long run.”
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
