The expected opening of the Voluntary Action Center's Opportunity Campus has been pushed back to March 2026.

As of December 2024, the Opportunity Campus was expected to open in fall 2025. On Monday, Voluntary Action Center director Ed Stansberry said the initial timeline was a "best guess" and that weather has caused delays. All of the subcontracts are now in place and "as of today, we are told that we will be able to occupy the campus in March of 2026," Stansberry said Monday.

Stansberry said 81% of the $18.6 million in funding for the project had been raised as of Monday and the organization has about $5 million out in "active asks." Stansberry also said since the project is under "buy American" requirements, he doesn't expect tariffs to increase costs.

The Opportunity Campus is being built along Business Loop 70 and Bowling Street in central Columbia to support transitional services for the homeless population in Boone County. Plans for the campus include a shelter with 150 beds, a resource center and medical clinic.

According to The Opportunity Campus website, the low-barrier shelter will operate 24/7 year-round. A low-barrier shelter is one which limits the incoming requirements for residents such as sobriety, to allow as many people as possible to join stay.

As of Feb. 19, the Boone County Coalition to End Homelessness says there are 275 people in Boone County experiencing homelessness. This is down 29 people since Jan. 29. This is also down from 301 individuals on the list in February 2024.

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