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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The Family Place announced plans Wednesday for the very first dedicated men’s domestic violence shelter in the state of Texas.

To meet the increasing community demand for emergency shelter services for male victims and their children, The Family Place deemed this shelter the necessary next step in its expansion of services.

The Family Place has spent an average of $20,000 per month this year in hotel costs for sheltering male victims and their children (19 male clients as of September 2015; double the total of 2014).

Even with security, transportation and programming restrictions, hotels were the only option available to not only keep female and male clients separate, but also ensure that these men were not turned away when they asked for help.

This increase in male victims coming forward is said to be largely due to the Dallas Police Department Lethality Assessment Program and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings’ efforts to increase awareness.

The Family Place will specifically develop staff and programming for the Men’s Shelter to meet the unique needs of this demographic, including shelter and counseling services for these men and their children. The majority of the funding for this shelter will come from a new Victims of Crime Act grant, but The Family Place must raise additional funds from the community.

“A report being released by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings tonight shows the incredible demand for shelter space and other services for victims of domestic violence,” says Paige Flink, Chief Executive Officer of The Family Place. “At The Family Place, we are committed to meeting the need to the best of our ability as long as the financial support from the community is there. We cannot do it without their help.”

The Family Place plans to open its new Men’s Shelter in January 2016.

Efforts to find the location are ongoing, as it is important to find a space that best serves this population of victims. The Family Place welcomes recommendations and assistance from the community as it continues its search. This project will develop concurrently with The Family Place Legacy Capital Campaign that will also include 30-36 beds to serve as an overflow emergency shelter when the shelter at The Family Place Safe Campus is full.

To find out more about The Family Place Men’s Shelter, Legacy Capital Campaign and how to donate, click here.

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