Hospitality House, Nevada County’s homeless shelter and services program dedicated it’s new building on Sutton Way in Grass Valley Saturday. The building, formerly owned by Veritas Church, was purchased with grant funding and was named Utah’s Place for the late Hospitality House co-founder, entertainer and homeless advocate Bruce “Utah” Phillips.  Much renovation is needed to convert the former worship hall into dormitories with areas for   men, women and families with  a total of 54 beds.  Also planned is construction of a commercial kitchen. Hospitality House Board President, Joanna Robinson says the social workers employed by Hospitality House will continue to provide outreach  to homeless in the community.

“Part of their job is also to go out into the field and find homeless people who don’t come to Hospitality House. Among other things we can’t take people at Hospitality House with pets. So, some people don’t come. Our social workers go ut, find them and take them things they need and connect them to medical services and other social services.”

At the open house officials said they are hoping to receive approximately $250,000 in cash and volunteer labor donations to convert the building to their use.  Utah’s Place is tentatively scheduled to open in April of 2012.