Local non-profit makes Anne Street Village partnership proposal to City of Salisbury
SALISBURY, Md. – Leaders in Salisbury say a new chapter could be on the horizon for the Anne Street Village. The village opened in 2023.
Expanding on Success
Located in the Church Street neighborhood, the grouping of tiny homes is the city’s first transitional housing facility.
It includes 23 units, each outfitted with a bed, HVAC units, a refrigerator, and other amenities. The village also includes a central personal hygiene facility, and a wellness center. Staff at the village also help to provide resources to the temporary residents.
“There have definitely been some success stories, and we want to continue that momentum, and that just brings it upon us to partner with with a group to make further outreach even better,” said Salisbury City Council President, D’Shawn Doughty.
Offering Partnership
Hands & Hearts Ending Homelessness (HHEH), a local emergency shelter non profit group, is offering to help bolster those resources.
The group submitted a proposal to the City, offering a partnership, and to take on management of the facility. Doughty says leaders are thankful for the offer; but to be fair to other organizations that may be able to help, they’re opening up the proposal to the public.
“Given what the responsibility of the city is, we realized that we’ve reached that full potential there, and it’s time to partner with a non-profit,” Doughty said. “What you don’t want to do is be short-sighted. So, that’s one thing that our directors from each respective apartment wanted to make sure; that we have this wonderful organization, let’s make sure they are the best fit.”
Part of a Larger Mission
HHEH meanwhile, says their proposal is just one part of a larger mission to help unhoused or at-risk individuals in Salisbury and Wicomico County. However, in a statement to 47 ABC WMDT, Executive Director Walter Davidson said that offering to partner with the City comes as a necessity for the group.
“Our housing challenged population continues to increase, while costs to sustain and care for our guests also continues to increase,” Davidson stated. “Unfortunately, donations to support our services have declined, and HHEH has developed and pivoted its business model to accommodate this change.”
Davidson also stated that HHEH is planning to expand its operations to provide year-round emergency, transitional and wraparound services for unhoused individuals.
“As part of the plans for expansion, HHEH has been exploring opportunities including partnering with the City of Salisbury to take over management of Anne Street Village for the transitional housing component,” Davidson stated. “HHEH [Monday] morning received and is reviewing the RFI from the City of Salisbury; no official response to their RFI is available at this time.
Looking Ahead
Additional opportunities, stated Davidson, would include purchasing a building or a property capable of housing the group’s intended scope, “and/or partnering with additional organizations within our community serving our collective mission.”
Davidson further stated that the organization is excited to continue serving those in need, and appreciates support from those they serve, as well as the larger community.
