Albany House

Youth often experience crisis on the road to adulthood. The Albany House will exist to help youth that find a need for shelter and an opportunity for personal developmental growth. The 2008 Linn County Comprehensive Plan cites the Commission on Children & Families’ needs survey in done in 2000. It reports that 23% of respondents identified a gap in shelter services for runaway and/or homeless teens and homeless families. Needs for “wraparound” (comprehensive) services and transitional housing for homeless of all ages were mentioned. When the Albany shelter development group formed, the group sent a survey to local agencies and community members asking if they would support a youth shelter and be involved.

• I have taken in a couple of teenagers just this year, and see the need for this. I would love to volunteer and help in whatever way that I can personally. - Agape Family Fellowship

• We have wanted to see this in this community for a long time. - Albany First Church of God

• We know anecdotally that there are a lot of teens doubling up at friends’ houses, etc. A Jackson Street-like shelter would be a great benefit. - CARDV

• Absolutely, long overdue. - Community Health Improvement Partnership • I believe one has been needed for a long time. - Community Services Consortium

• A shelter in Albany would be a valuable resource. I have referred high-school youth to the Jackson Street shelter, but its location, coupled with the limited public transportation in this area, has been a barrier to some Albany youth. - Linn County Alcohol & Drug

• We have a great need for a youth shelter in Linn county. The Juvenile Court sees this need on almost a daily basis. - Linn County Circuit Court • We currently pay to have some of our clients shelter at the Jackson Street Shelter. It would be great to have a local resource. - Linn County Mental Health Services