Agenda - Council - 08/10/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Ramsey Pa~e Five ne original rehabilitation, unfortunately, did not fully address the needs of families who now live in the building. The resulting issues that with which shelter residents, community women/children/youth and staff contend with on a daily basis include the following: * Most of the bedrooms are too small to accommodate either smaller or larger families. The handicapped bedroom sleeps only one therefore, if a woman has a child with her, they must be separated and use sleeping bags in the living room causing additional stress on the family. * Residents who are unable to use the stairway cannot do laundry, access the refrigerator/freezer, playroom for their children/youth or some program staff. * Ongoing maintenance costs are high for two reasons: First, building systems are inadequate; i.e. heat and/or cooling temperatures are inadequate in the winter/summer times. Humidifiers must be used in the bedrooms creating safety concerns for the children/youth as well as depleting electrical supply. Plumbing problems are on-going creating water stains and holes in the ceiling and walls that must be patched. Secondly, building finishes are not durable enough to accommodate hard use and wear and tear that comes with housing families in crisis. * Lack of storage exists making it difficult for the purchase of supplies in bulk. We have had to rent off-site storage to accommodate new donations, supplies etc. at a cost of $500 per year. * Non-industrial appliances breakdown weekly and must be replaced at least every two years. A local appliance store cancelled our warranty with us due to the numbers of mechanical breakdo%~s. Bathroom accommodations are frequently comprised and not accessible for use. * Approximately 70 women and their families come to the facility for a weekly support group and education. /~ne confidentiality and privacy of both the residents and community families are violated since they have complete access to each other upon arrival. * /~e eating area does not accommodate all the families at one time. Residents are responsible for making a community meal in the evening. Morning and noon meals are made separately and it is difficult for more than two women at a time to cook in the kitchen facilities. * The on-site teacher cannot have more than' 1-2 children/youth in the school program space. Children/youth make up 73~ off'the total population of the facility; 69~ are school aged. * Community program staff are located in a satellite"office due to lack of space in the current facility. The cost of the off-site space is $12,000 per year including utilities, rent and maintenance.