A proposed domestic violence shelter in Kaysville will get $50,000 from the Davis County Commission to help start construction, but no ongoing funds will be available to operate the facility.
"We are behind the building of the shelter 100 percent, but we aren't going to commit taxpayer dollars to complete the project," County Commissioner Gayle Stevenson said. The commission's offer is just to help get shelter construction under way.Darlene Galbraith, president of the Davis County Coalition Against Violence, said she is pleased with the commission's decision. So far, the coalition has about $300,000 in community development block grant funds for the project and $47,000 left over from a state grant it used to buy the shelter site. Some private funds have been raised for the project, but the coalition still needs more money, and hopes to raise funds in the future.
The building is expected to cost about $470,000, including the cost of the building infrastructure, Galbraith said.
Prior to Wednesday's commission meeting, the coalition scaled back plans for the shelter. The original cost was estimated at $1.7 million, Galbraith said. Officials had to revise the plans so construction could begin because CDBG funds were in jeopardy.
Chris Beck, a state compliance officer, told coalition officials in June that if they didn't raise additional funds, the CDBG funds would be given to other projects.
Stevenson said that the commission stepped in to help a little, but that it expects the coalition to raise private funds to run the shelter.
The commission's offer is "a small start, but it is a beginning," Galbraith said. The coalition has been trying to raise funds for the project for two years.
The shelter is planned for a 3-acre vacant lot on the corner of Mutton Hollow Road and Main Street in Kaysville. It will be a bedroom facility capable of housing eight families. Construction may begin as early as the end of this year.
The shelter will provide a much-needed service in the county, Galbraith said. Currently, domestic violence victims from Davis County must go to the Community Center in Ogden or the YWCA in Salt Lake City for a place to stay.
"That is really a problem, because it really displaces families," Galbraith said.
In addition to the building project, the coalition runs a victim advocate program through the Davis County Attorney's Office. Volunteers are trained to help domestic violence victims with a wide range of needs. Galbraith said the program will even find a place for children to stay.
There is also a pro bono attorney program for victims. Thirty attorneys provide free services for victims trying to obtain restraining orders.
Galbraith said the coalition also is helping to fund construction of a children's justice center for the area.