A long-running homeless shelter program in El Paso is receiving big federal funding for the construction of a new demographic-specific shelter.
Located at 1208 Myrtle Avenue, the Opportunity Center for the Homeless was founded in early 1994 and has not only provided shelter for homeless men and women, but also up to 120,000 meals a year for the same population.
Now Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar has announced that just over $2.4 million has been awarded to the center for construction of a facility that will provide shelter for elderly men.
As designed by the Wright & Dalbin Architects of El Paso, the new three-story facility will house 34 beds, along with kitchen and dining space. Additional features: a laundry room and showers.
What is being called La Casa de Abuelitos will go up on a vacant lot at 150 Brown Street in a mostly residential area of downtown El Paso.
The Center opened a two-story facility for women in the summer of 2016.
By Garry Boulard
