Opportunity House looks to continue Code Blue housing at former convent

READING, Pa. – Temperatures are beginning to drop, and Reading City Council is prepping for the cold months ahead. 

The council listened to an update on plans to help people without homes have a place to stay warm this winter. 

Creating one larger home is the mission that Opportunity House organizers presented, with the hope to restart the Code Blue Program for homeless families. 

It's one of two Code Blue projects the organizers are currently working on in the region. 

"No, we don't need more shelter beds. We need housing," said Modesto Fiume, president of Opportunity House. "We had just many people who really needed a place to, kind of get resettled and feel good about themselves again. And that's what we did for them." 

Fiume sat before Reading City Council, with a goal to give some people a roof over their heads again this winter. 

"We think we have plans in place. We think we know where we can do better," said Fiume. "That initiative began last year when we had, we were inundated with homeless families coming in, coming to Opportunity House, calling, you know, 211, coming to the mayor's office saying they had no place to stay." 

Last winter, council appropriated $400,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funding to establish temporary housing at the Eckert House, 1500 Eckert Ave. From January 2024 to April 2024, 167 people — or 62 families — made the Eckert House their temporary home. 

During Reading City Council's Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night, Fiume said the plan is to once again operate the Eckert House to establish temporary housing for those in need during the winter months. 

"It's a former convent behind Central Catholic High School, and we reopened it," said Fiume.

The building is owned by Reading Hill LLC, an entity controlled by Heights Advisors, a Brooklyn development company.

Opportunity House has a lease agreement with the developer. 

Fiume said the organization is striving to enhance its services this year by hiring bilingual staff and allowing residents to prep and serve meals.

As a starting point for funding, Fiume said there was $13,000 remaining from last year's ARPA allocation.

But Fiume said he is requesting the city to allocate $350,000 for the housing in 2025. 

"That is the hope, that we can get funding to continue for six-month basis, as soon as beginning, as soon as November 15th," said Fiume. "The number this year is probably around $350,000, which is $50,000 less than what we received last year."

Finance Director Jamar Kelly said $150,000 can be used to cover the housing from January through May from unspent community development contracted services funding.

Kelly said an additional $200,000 will be allocated in the 2025 budget for the program to start up next fall.

"As we continue to grow and flesh it out in the coming years, we need to look at dedicated sponsorships to this effort so that it is not just a city responsibility," Kelly said. "But for right now, we have unspent general funds that will cover it." 

Managing Director Jack Gombach said the Eckert House is a great example of partnerships in the city that work together and deliver services.

City Council members raised some questions and evaluated past efforts. 

"I appreciate this happening and us planning for the winter before the winter gets here, right?" said Councilmember Melissa Ventura. 

The council introduced an ordinance that authorizes a budget from the city's Community Development Contracted Services for $150,000 for Code Blue. 

"I think it goes back to the mission of opportunity houses. We empower individuals to improve their lives," said Fiume. 

There was also discussion about council and Opportunity House working with other organizations to provide future services for residents. 

Fiume said the Eckert House plans to open for the season on Nov. 15.