ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997 TAG: 9704180049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS THE ROANOKE TIMES
Officials are still trying to determine if a Montgomery County shelter is structurally sound, but the families living there won't have to move.
The fate of this area's only homeless shelter still hangs in the balance of a yet-to-be-completed report.
Sometime next week, a consultant will tell board members of the Montgomery County Community Shelter whether the small frame residence on Roanoke Street will have to be renovated or replaced.
In the meanwhile, several families that occupy the shelter won't have to move - as originally feared.
The uncertainty originated last week when shelter residents reported the two-story structure's floor had sagged. The residents were alarmed after they heard the Community Shelter board had plans to evict them permanently.
That was a misunderstanding, according to board members. Residents would only be relocated if the building were found to be unsafe, they said.
"At least for now its OK, in terms of safety," said Ivan Liss, president of the Community Shelter's board.
Liss said the shelter board is concerned about what the organization - and its clients - will do if the building requires major repairs or needs to be abandoned.
"A really large repair bill would hit us pretty hard," he added.
The Community Shelter, opened in 1991, is run by a nonprofit organization with a yearly budget of about $48,000. The funds come from charitable contributions and some government funding.
Amanda Griffeth, the executive director, is the lone employee. Members of the board are volunteers.
"We're in decent shape right now," Liss said of the Community Shelter's finances.
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