Whitefish Community Foundation awards grant to help displaced hotel residents
Samaritan House’s temporary shelter for displaced FairBridge Inn & Suites residents is located in a former armory building owned by the organization. In May 2020, Samaritan House deployed a temporary shelter at the building in response to the Covid-19 crisis. (Provided photo)
Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded a $45,000 grant to Samaritan House to support the deployment of a temporary shelter for individuals displaced by the closure of the FairBridge Inn & Suites in Kalispell.
Founded in 1996, Samaritan House operates a low-barrier homeless shelter and transitional living program in Kalispell. Over the past few weeks, Samaritan House has been working with other local nonprofits to develop shelter arrangements for the individuals and families living at the FairBridge Inn & Suites who have not been able to secure alternative housing.
Samaritan House is deploying a temporary shelter in a former armory building located on Meridian Road. In addition to a safe place to spend the night, guests will have access to showers, laundry, meals, case management and other community resources while staying in the shelter.
Whitefish Community Foundation is concerned about the housing crisis affecting the entire Flathead Valley. The grant award was recommended by Whitefish Community Foundation’s Grants Committee and unanimously approved by the board of directors.
Samaritan House Executive Director Chris Krager estimates it will cost the organization approximately $30,000 per month to operate the emergency shelter. He said it is unclear how long the shelter will be needed, but he and his staff will continue to work with other community organizations to help secure alternative housing arrangements for those in need.
Over the next two years, Samaritan House plans to renovate and repurpose the former armory building to include 16 single-occupancy units for veterans, as well as a kitchen and cafeteria. The organization also plans to build 16 new two-and three-bedroom multi-family units adjacent to the armory.
The Community Emergency Response Fund grant is made possible by members of the Whitefish Community Foundation’s Circle of Giving Program and other local donors.
For more information about opportunities to support Samaritan House’s work, visit samaritanhousemt.com or email info@samaritanhousemt.com. For more information about the work of the Whitefish Community Foundation, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.