MORGANTOWN — Jessica Thompson has served as shelter director for Catholic Charities’ Grace Shelter in Hazel’s House of Hope since Catholic Charities West Virginia took over operations from Bartlett House last fall.
She announced Tuesday that she’ll be leaving the position next week.
“I wanted to give you a heads up that I will be transferring into another position with [Catholic Charities West Virginia]. My last day as Shelter Director will be July 3,” Thompson explained in a brief email.
It wasn’t immediately revealed who will be stepping into the position.
The leadership change is the latest in a series of announcements coming out of the shelter.
On May 1, Thompson confirmed that the typically full facility was forced to reduce capacity by nine beds, lowering the 28-bed limit that had been in place since Bartlett Housing Solutions moved its triage shelter from University Avenue to the second floor of Hazel’s House of Hope in 2021.
The reduction was necessary due to the latest calculation of floor space conducted by the fire marshal’s office.
Later that month, Thompson told members of Morgantown City Council that Catholic Charities was exploring use of available space in HHH to add more “overnight only” capacity, but additional funding — she estimated as much as $150,000 — would be needed to make that happen.
Thompson confirmed on Tuesday the additional funding has not materialized.
But that’s not to say services are not expanding.
Earlier this month, Catholic Charities officially announced Grace Transitional Housing — five fully-furnished apartments located within HHH.
“Affordable housing remains out of reach for millions of renters in the U.S. Transitional housing like what we will offer at Grace helps residents build a rental history, connect with supportive services to build financial literacy and improve their job prospects, and eventually secure permanent housing,” Thompson said as part of that announcement.
All units have carpet and vinyl flooring. Rent includes water, heat, air conditioning, electric, sewer and trash. The site includes one two-bedroom and four one-bedroom units. Applicants must submit a completed application and proof of income to place on the waiting list. The least term is six months.
Thompson has said both Catholic Charities and Morgantown Community Resources – landlord and facilitator of the HHH property – are seeking grants to rehabilitate additional space in the former hotel into 26 more transitional housing apartments.
