OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A new $18 million homeless shelter opened in Omaha last week with beds for as many as 450 people.
The new Siena Francis House shelter was built on the site of a former salvage yard in north downtown Omaha. Officials say the new 43,000-square-foot building will be better able to meet the community's needs without having people sleeping in mattresses on the floor.
The facility is also equipped with a commercial kitchen and larger space for people to gather while waiting for case management and other services.
The Siena Francis House's executive director Linda Twomey told the Omaha World-Herald the new facility that opened Thursday will allow the organization to provide a variety of services all in one location.
The City of Omaha provided $2.5 million for demolition and cleanup of a salvage yard that had occupied the location. Private donations covered most of the rest of the cost.
The Siena Francis House is the largest homeless shelter in Nebraska. In 2018, it served 431,533 meals and provided emergency shelter to 3,435 individuals.
The existing facility will be renovated and converted into an addiction recovery center that can house 48 men and 32 women.