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Winter House Could Transfer To Bethel's Old Senior Center

Anna Rose MacArthur
/
KYUK

Bethel is working on a new location for its homeless shelter.

On July 14, Bethel City Council voted to support exploring the sale of the old Senior Center building to Bethel Winter House. The Winter House closed in May when the Evangelical Covenant Church could no longer maintain the service, raising concerns for the health of Bethel’s homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senior Center in Bethel’s Housing Subdivision has sat unused for years, and Winter House Board President Jon Cochrane called the deal a “win-win” for the city.

“The city would get permanent, sustainable housing for these individuals. We would have a permanent shelter solution, and we would get the cost of maintaining this building off the city’s books,” Cochrane said.

The building, Cochrane says, is costing the city $60,000 a year to heat and care for. 

Anna Rose MacArthur served as KYUK's News Director from 2015-2022.
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