Omaha’s Siena/Francis House plans to expand its shelters and add new facilities as part of a human services campus.
Construction on the $15.1 million project could begin next year. It’ll include a day services center with job training services and counseling; new transitional housing; and more shelter space. The campus will be north of Nicholas Street, from 16th to 18th Streets in north downtown.
Siena/Francis House executive director Mike Saklar says there’s a need for day services for Omaha’s homeless population.
"We want to address all types of issues in our community. And that’s having places for the homeless men and women and kids, appropriate facilities to settle in to so that we can work with these individuals and families to help track them out of homelessness and transition back in to the community. And that’s another main goal of this effort."
The project could also be a catalyst for revitalization of north Omaha.
Saklar says on Tuesday night, the men’s shelter was at 155 percent of capacity, and the women’s shelter at 136 percent of capacity. He says many of Omaha’s homeless have nowhere to go during the day.
The project will be paid for through business and philanthropic support, as well as funds in Omaha’s capital improvement plan.