Budget Cuts
Force LSS to Close Safe House in St. Paul
Last year, 132 youth living on
the streets in the Twin Cities found shelter, safety, meals and support at
the Safe House, a program of LSS located in St. Paul. Effective Aug. 1,
youth on the streets will need to look elsewhere. State budget changes
resulting from the legislative session mean closure for the 16-year-old
program.
The Safe House operates on a
yearly budget of approximately $250,000, with funding from federal, state,
and county resources, as well as, philanthropic donations. Federal funding
for the program ended as of June 30, and state funding, now coming by way
of block grants to counties to administer, is unresolved.
"Without a long-term funding
plan, we cannot keep our doors open," said Mark Peterson, President/CEO of
LSS."
The LSS Safe House, a shelter
for homeless youth, ages 16-20, is located in the Merriam Park
neighborhood of St. Paul and has been serving homeless youth since 1987.
It is one of a few services in the Twin Cities where young people can
self-refer and find assistance with shelter, basic needs, advocacy and
referral to other services to meet longer-term needs.
