Shelter gets $45k grant to assist with displaced hotel guests
Chris Krager, executive director at Samaritan House in Kalispell on Nov. 9. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded a $45,000 grant to Samaritan House to support deployment of a temporary shelter for individuals displaced by the closure of the FairBridge Inn & Suites in Kalispell.
The Community Emergency Response Fund grant comes from the foundation's Circle of Giving Program and other local donors. The grant was recommended by Whitefish Community Foundation’s Grants Committee and unanimously approved by the board of directors.
Fortify Holdings, a Portland hotel company, is in the process of purchasing the property — formerly the Outlaw Inn — with a closing date scheduled for Feb. 12. Fortify hopes to turn the hotel into 250 studio apartments.
As part of the renovation, however, approximately 100 current guests of the extended-stay portion of the hotel will be displaced.
Over the past few weeks, Samaritan House has been working with other local nonprofits to develop shelter arrangements for the individuals and families living at the FairBridge Inn who have not been able to secure alternative housing.
Samaritan House is deploying a temporary shelter in a former armory building located on Meridian Road. In addition to a safe place to spend the night, guests will have access to showers, laundry, meals, case management and other community resources while staying in the shelter.
Samaritan House Executive Director Chris Krager estimates it will cost the organization approximately $30,000 per month to operate the emergency shelter. He said it is unclear how long the shelter will be needed, but he and his staff will continue to work with other community organizations to help secure alternative housing arrangements for those in need.
Over the next two years, Samaritan House plans to renovate and repurpose the former armory building to include 16 single-occupancy units for veterans, as well as a kitchen and cafeteria.
The organization also plans to build 16 new two- and three-bedroom multi-family units adjacent to the armory.
For more information about opportunities to support Samaritan House’s work, visit samaritanhousemt.com or email info@samaritanhousemt.com. For more information about the work of Whitefish Community Foundation, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.