Letter to the editor: Domestic violence shelters need share of covid relief funds

Westmoreland County has a serious problem with emergency housing and services for women and children in abusive relationships. Beds for emergency use in the county are limited to 65, and the maximum stay is 30 days. This means that if an abused woman cannot find alternate housing and a permanent job within 30 days of leaving her abusive partner, she will likely have to return to the abusive relationship while waiting for safer housing. This likely will mean an escalation in the abuse.

This is not the case in other counties in this state. Surrounding counties with similar populations (approximately 350,000) have emergency beds ranging from a capacity of 200 to 600 with a longer tenancy than 30 days.

Over the past two years of the pandemic, domestic violence has been on the rise. This issue has been brought to the attention of the county commissioners at multiple town hall meetings.

The American Rescue Plan has allocated $105 million to the county for covid relief. A portion of these funds must be directed toward providing relief to the most vulnerable in our community. The commissioners must use some of these funds to help the poorest in our community.

Harold F. Weaver

Jeannette