The City of Morgantown met with leaders in the community this week to address concerns related to the encampment along Deckers Creek in Lower Greenmont and have developed a plan to ensure the individuals there have access to safe and affordable housing.
The Encampment Task Force included members from the City of Morgantown, Monongalia County Commission, West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, Health Right, Bartlett House, United Way, the property owners, West Virginia ACLU, and Our Future West Virginia.
The goal of the Encampment Task Force is to move individuals from the encampment into permanent housing in a relatively short timeframe. The West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness and Bartlett House are taking the lead on finding housing for these individuals. The support of Health Right and Our Future West Virginia has been essential in building a rapport with the individuals at the encampment.
As of now, a majority of the individuals living in the encampment have expressed an interest in being housed. One of the next steps the Encampment Task Force is working on is getting proper documentation for the individuals, such as IDs and birth certificates.
If you or someone you know wants to help these individuals, the Encampment Task Force recommends donating the following items:
- Plates
- Forks
- Cookware (pots, pans, etc.)
- Shower products (curtains, shampoo, soap, etc.)
- Towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Garbage bags
- Toilet paper
If you would be interested in donating supplies, please contact Rachael Coen with the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness at rachaelcoen@wvceh.org or Pastor Stephen Prince at stephen.r.prince@gmail.com.