MORGANTOWN — Before the Sunday evening storm that ripped the roof off Hazel’s House of Hope had subsided, phones were ringing and wheels were turning.
Within a day or so, the building, which serves as a centralized hub for many of the area’s social services, was back under roof, and power had been restored to refrigeration units stocked with food critical to feeding programs.
On Wednesday, the Monongalia County Commission provided $10,000 for Bartlett Housing Solutions, which had to evacuate more than two dozen individuals into an area hotel that evening via a school bus provided by Monongalia County Schools.
The commission also thanked everyone who “ran to the fire.”
March Westin President Jamie Ridgeway was among those on the property Sunday night.
“Within 24-36 hours March-Westin had the roof back on to help remediate any further damage and they’re working diligently to help get that facility back open. It’s pretty incredible the response time and how they addressed that need and put that priority above all the other things I’m sure they have going on,” Commissioner Jeff Arnett said.
It was also noted that the current weeks-long lead time to get the needed materials was a non-factor as Lytle Construction provided roofing the company had on hand.
The commissioners said the list of individuals, businesses and organizations that have rallied around HHH is long, but not unexpected.
“That’s really just how this county operates when there’s an issue,” Commissioner Sean Sikora said. “We don’t sit around and point fingers, we see where we can help.”
In other commission news, the body has formed a three-way partnership with Disability Rights of West Virginia and the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness with the goal of increasing the available number of accessible housing units in the county.
Gina Desmond, a senior advocate with Disability Rights of West Virginia, explained that obstacles facing the unsheltered are far higher for individuals in wheelchairs or confronting other mobility issues.
The lack of accessible housing units means many of these individuals are placed in hotel rooms, which is far more expensive than rent over time.
To that end, the commission is seeking landlords interested in making ground-level units accessible for individuals with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, reach out to Commission President Tom Bloom at 304-291-7257.
DRWV will provide technical assistance regarding housing rights and responsibilities, and help secure funds through WVCEH to assist with accessibility upgrades.
In other news from Wednesday’s meeting, the commission:
- Agreed to cover a 6% increase in county employee insurance premiums and provide $2,000 for the health savings account for each employee participating in the county’s high-deductible insurance plan.
- Heard from Tony Faini representing the Morgantown Area Partnership regarding Infrastructure Week, beginning May 16. Faini explained there is information available at morgantownpartnership.com under “events” regarding upcoming panels on planning and financing under the theme “Connectivity.”
- Announced the winners of the 2022 County Government Month Essay Contest: Chloe Addie (1st Place); Karim Sraj (2nd Place); Stella Carlson (3rd Place). All three are eighth graders at Mountaineer Middle.
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