WINTER SHELTERS TO OPEN (FINALLY) ON DEC. 17.Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer CANYON COUNTRY - A temporary winter shelter for Santa Clarita's homeless is scheduled to open Dec. 17, while the search for a permanent location is still under way. Members of the Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, Community Development Corp., which operates the shelter, say electricians are still working inside the temporary structure, set up in a corner of the Via Princessa Metrolink station. The approximately 60-bed shelter usually opens each winter on Dec. 1. This year's opening is later than usual, ``for a myriad of reasons,'' said the group's spokesman, Stephen Peeples. The tedious search for a permanent site for a shelter and less funds from a tight city budget contributed to its late opening, Peeples said. ``We're looking at emergency fund-raising efforts Noun 1. fund-raising effort - a campaign to raise money for some cause fund-raising campaign, fund-raising drive crusade, campaign, cause, drive, effort, movement - a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported to raise up to $35,000,'' Peeples said. ``Donations are needed.'' Since 1997, the SCCDC has looked at 30 sites, none of which was suitable to be used each year. The organization had hoped the city would approve a five-year lease, which would save it money by allowing the group to buy or rent the modular buildings Modular buildings are sectional prefabricated buildings that are manufactured in a plant, and delivered to the customer in one or more complete modular sections. Modular buildings are considerably different from mobile homes. that make up the shelter. Money then could be raised for a permanent home. But council members and the city's Planning Commission Noun 1. planning commission - a commission delegated to propose plans for future activities and developments commission, committee - a special group delegated to consider some matter; "a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours" - Milton Berle once again hesitated, deciding last month to allow the SCCDC to lease the Via Princessa lot again for one year and telling the group to look for another site. Families make up about half of the city's homeless population, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a survey conducted last spring by the City Council's Homeless Advisory Task Force. Officials estimate that about 10,000 people in Santa Clarita are at risk of becoming homeless. While many have said a permanent winter shelter is needed, some residents - especially those who live in the Vista Del Canon condominium condominium In modern property law, individual ownership of one dwelling unit within a multidwelling building. Unit owners have undivided ownership interest in the land and those portions of the building shared in common. complex a half-mile away from the train station - believe it would increase crime, lower property values and hurt new businesses. Councilman Frank Ferry, who pledged last month to help the SCCDC find a site, said the search was still active. ``Right now, we're waiting for staff to come back with a report,'' Ferry said. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) The Santa Clarita homeless shelter Homeless shelters are temporary residences for homeless people. Usually located in urban neighborhoods, they are similar to emergency shelters. The primary difference is that homeless shelters are usually open to anyone, without regard to the reason for need. at the Canyon Country Metrolink station awaits electricity before it opens its doors next week. David R. Crane/Staff Photographer |
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