There will soon be a new place for homeless young people to go in the Birmingham area. Construction is underway on the Magic City’s first emergency crisis shelter for homeless youth. The facility will be called The Way Station and will provide overnight shelter for young people.
Caroline Bundy is the director of development for AIDS Alabama. She says their center will provide help for a serious problem in Birmingham.
“We see hundreds of unaccompanied youths on the street each night. Last year we counted at least a 175. What we mean by unaccompanied youth is anyone under the age of 24 on the streets without someone over the age of 24,” she said.
She says The Way Station will provide short-term emergency services and they’re prepared for long term help.
“We’ll also have 20 beds in a transitional housing program. That program will allow a stay of up to two years if the young person needs to do that. We’ll offer programs like GED prep,” Bundy said.
The facility is expected to cost around $4 million. So far AIDS Alabama has raised about 75 percent of their total. They have gotten money from Regions Bank, the City of Birmingham and $1 million from the CARES Act. Construction is set to begin in November and the facility is expected to open in June of 2022.