New Lancaster homeless shelter hits delay

Local agencies Wednesday worked to relocate the Welcome Place Emergency Shelter from Ebenezer Baptist Church to the former home of furniture dealer Benjamin Roberts on the 200 block of North Prince Street.

The Clay Street church’s heating system broke down, and repairs will take at least a month, Eby said.

Local developer Ben Lesher agreed to allow the Food Hub to temporarily relocate its shelter operations there in the meantime, Eby said.

Lesher earlier this year proposed a plan to city officials to convert the property into a six-story, 130-unit apartment building. The development process is ongoing, Eby said.

“The timeline for redevelopment allows us to be there through the winter shelter season,” Eby said.