St. Johns County lobbying for shelter expansion of Arc building

There’s a growing need to serve some of the most vulnerable people in St. Johns County, but there’s not a lot of space for it.

The Arc of the St. Johns offers academic and life-skills classes for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The community-based group serves more than 250 people. There are 15 people currently on a waitlist.

While St. Johns County has boomed around them, the group has been in the same Arc Road building since 1990.

“We were kind of a forgotten population of people,” said Kathy Jackson, the group's executive director.

After Hurricanes Matthew and Irma, Jackson says the need for expansion became even more apparent.

Forced to evacuate their group homes, many of the adults slept in the very classrooms where they learn.

The outside of the Arc’s building was flooded during the storms, with some water getting inside the building.

“This building was built at least 3 feet below what is the current code,” said Jackson. “All the buildings that surround us are built higher, then it throws the water in our direction.”

The county is now lobbying for six acres of nearby state land that would house more classrooms and shelter space suited for the adults’ needs.

The full cost of expansion could be up to $4 million.

“Cots are typically used in the normal shelters,” said Jackson. “For many of our individuals, they need to have a softer place to sleep, including the need to have medical beds.”

State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson sent a statement to Action News Jax that reads:

“I share Kathy Jackson’s concern that citizens, like the ones she serves have a critical need for emergency sheltering in place. It is a tough budget year. I will work on funding to help them meet the needs of these vulnerable Florida residents.”

Cox Media Group