RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – The only shelter south of Charleston was set to close on February 28.
But the City of Beckley and the county have agreed to keep Pine Haven open, at least through the end of June.
While some think this is great, many want a long-term solution, and still others are not supportive of the city financing the shelter.
Mayor Ryan Neal says whether it stays open is contingent on the state’s next move regarding its grant funding.
“We’re holding out hope that the state does not cut the funding and they’re able to get the money they used to get to keep it open themselves,” said Neal, adding they have other funding too, with the county and the city short-term picking up the slack.
“Then again, how does Princeton go without a homeless shelter, how does Lewisburg go without a homeless shelter? They manage — but I guess we are kind of the hub of Southern West Virginia. Hopefully, it works out and they get the grant money to keep it open. We should know in about three months and if they don’t get the appropriate funding, we’ll see what we want to do after that.”
