HARRISONBURG, Va. – Construction on Harrisonburg’s Homeless Services Center, a priority of City Council and a key goal of Council’s 2039 Vision Plan for the future of the community, will soon be moving forward.
Harrisonburg-based Nielsen Builders, Inc., has been selected as construction contractor for the project following an invitation to bid process that concluded in
August.
Nielsen Builders has agreed to a timeline that will see construction completed by Oct. 4, 2024, in order for sheltering services to be available at the 1111 North Main
Street center for the start of hypothermia season in November 2024. The team will construct an addition to the house that is already located on the property, which the
City purchased from the Shenandoah Presbytery in June 2022.
The project, which will allow for an overnight low-barrier emergency shelter and daytime drop-in center, comes as Harrisonburg City Council seeks to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the community.
Such a project, where individuals could be connected with support from local nonprofits in addition to being provided shelter, was identified by the City in 2019 as a vital tool in assuring Available Housing For All – one of seven pillars of City Council’s vision plan.
“The City, along with the nonprofits in our community that do such important work to support unhoused community members, is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of those who need our care and love,” Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed
said. “This center will provide a place where people can go to feel safe and valued, while receiving the support and opportunity they need to begin moving their lives forward.”
A groundbreaking ceremony that is open to the community will be held Sept. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the site as Nielsen Builders prepares to begin construction on the project starting in mid-September.
“Nielsen is excited to be a part of this project that will have such a positive impact in our community,” Nielsen Builders President Dan Hylton said. “We are not only building a building, we are assisting in building better lives for those in need, and for that we are grateful.”
A competitive request for proposal process to select an operator for the sheltering services and drop-in program is currently open, scheduled to close Oct. 27. More information on the selection will be available in late 2023.
A competitive request for proposal process to select an operator for the sheltering services and drop-in program is currently open, scheduled to close Oct. 27. More information on the selection will be available in late 2023.
Any organization in the community wishing to be involved in preparation for opening of the Homeless Services Center may contact Harrisonburg Acting Deputy City Manager Amy Snider to discuss the project at Amy.Snider@harrisonburgva.gov.
More information is available at https://harrisonburgva.gov/homeless-services-center.
This project is one of 21 efforts City Council has selected to receive funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). More information on these projects is available at https://harrisonburgva.gov/ARPA.
