Former Irish Hall, Belleville (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Plans for a homeless shelter in Belleville are moving ahead with the upcoming renovations of the former Irish Hall.
Grace Inn Homeless Shelter is a privately-funded charitable shelter that will be developed at the downtown site.
President of the Grace Inn board Jody Jenkins says the shelter will have 15 beds for men and five for women.
The shelter will serve breakfast and dinner and be closed during the day, the idea being the people will find help with various service agencies during the day.
Jenkins says the group has been working with the city this week to get the permits to begin renovations and hopes to open the facility this fall.
He says there are 800 homeless people in the area each year and the community needs the shelter.
Seventy volunteers will be operating the shelter, which will have a budget of $135,000 a year.
