Springboard Collaborative says operating funding a must for Milford Pallet Home project

MILFORD, Del. – Milford is considering becoming the next Delaware town to adopt a Pallet Homes for the homeless project, following on the success of a similar project in Georgetown.

Springboard Collaborative, the group behind the construction and operation of the Georgetown facility says they had federal grant funding to help construct another location in central Delaware but will need to have operating funding locked in before being able to move forward.

“Unless we get sustainable, viable funding for operating expenses, we won’t be able to build a village, It would be foolish to build it without a sustainable operating revenue,” said Springboard Collaborative Director Judson Malone adding that the current model sustaining Georgetown, of cashflow coming in the form of private donations would not be sustainable for a second location.

“There are thousands of these locations across the US they typically have a range of costs of 70-80 dollars a day and we are well inline with that,” Malone said adding that he believes the service will ultimately save money in the form of reduced ER visits, police response and other strains on de-centralized social services for the homeless.

“Having them in one place gives them a chance to have the success and the help they need,” Malone said calling for the town to apply for any state or local grants that would allow them to fund the program.

He says two sites have been floated for the proposed pallet village, one next to the new police department, and one across the street near the current department location.