safedhelterlogo annecarlsenlogoJamestown  (CSi)   SAFE  Shelter in  Jamestown, in cooperation with the Anne Carlsen Center has announced a new project to provide short-term housing for victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Safe Shelter,  Executive Director, Lynne Talley says while financial and construction details are not available, a sizeable gift from Mary Newman and a contribution of land from the Anne Carlsen Center will make “Mary’s Place” a reality.

The plan is to construct a building with three apartments for short-term emergency shelter.  It will allow survivors and their children to avoid communal living in larger shelters, which Tally says are currently filled to capacity across the state.  The facility will allow for a stay of up to four months while survivors plan their next step and wait for affordable housing.

Tally adds, Safe Shelter has been able to help locate safe, affordable housing fairly quickly for many years.  But currently, finding affordable housing has become increasing difficult, with waits of three to six months.  Tally says Stutsman County Housing Authority was forced to stop taking applications beginning December 1 because of a lack of funding from the federal Housing and Urban Development agency.

Mary Newman is providing the lead gift for the project.  She and her late husband, Harold Newman, raised their family in Jamestown while building the highly successful Newman Signs.  Mary Newman has supported domestic violence projects in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and Grand Forks, North Dakota, prior to Thursday’s announcement.