BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Matt Urban Center Hope House emergency shelter located at 586 Genesee Street will close March 31, 2021.
The Administration and Board of Directors of the Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY, Inc. made the announcement Friday.
Officials say the shelter, which opened in 2014, was intended to be a temporary location due to its physical limitations. Those physical limitations will soon bring the shelter out of compliance with state regulations.
"These facts, in addition to other factors, have led to the decision to close the shelter," a release says.
Marcia Pacciotti, President of the Matt Urban Center Board of Directors, released the following statement:
“This decision was not made lightly. The board worked closely with staff for over a year to find an alternate location to meet these new coding standards. It was determined that a workable plan was financially unattainable. Matt Urban Center will be working with Erie County Department of Social Services (DSS) to safely transition our shelter clients to new locations. We will continue to work with the City of Buffalo, DSS and others to come up with solutions for our homeless population.”
The organization says it intends to place as many displaced staff in other open positions as possible and will continue to work to ensure a smooth transition for current clients.
For more information on the Matt Urban Center and the other services and programs it offers visit its website here.
