San Francisco Chronicle; Thursday, January 22, 1998
Marshall Wilson, Chronicle Staff Writer

About $120,000 is needed to keep the six-bed Belmont House open through June. The San Mateo County AIDS Program has committed $40,000, leaving Belmont officials turning to other cities for the rest of the money.

"We think we can come up with a long-term solution if we can buy a little time," said Dan Vanderpriem, Belmont's community development director. "If it closes, there's really nowhere for people to go."

Vanderpriem acknowledged there is not much time for cities to react, but he said he is hopeful that the money will be found. The Belmont City Council will meet Tuesday to try to work out a finance plan.

The funding crisis began in November when Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco gave notice that it intended to cease operating the hospice January 31.

Catholic Charities contributes about $245,000 annually and operates the hospice. San Mateo County contributes about $275,000 a year and various grants make up the total operating cost of about $570,000.

"The high standard of care required at Belmont House is extremely costly, and we're simply unable to subsidize Belmont at that level of funding," said David Lloyd, Catholic Charities chief operating officer.

Catholic Charities must weigh Belmont House against 32 other programs it operates, Lloyd said. By comparison, the 45-bed Leland House in San Francisco, which serves people with HIV and AIDS, costs about $1.2 million annually to operate, he said.

County officials said they were surprised to learn of the high cost at Belmont House -- and were equally surprised when Catholic Charities issued the 60-day notice to close the facility.

"This is a tough one for people because of the timing" in the middle of the budget year, said John Conley, director of the San Mateo County AIDS Program.

It was unclear what would happen to the five AIDS patients currently at Belmont House if it closes next week. Lloyd said the agency is committed to finding them space elsewhere, although where would need to be worked out with county officials.

Lloyd and others involved in the negotiations said they were hopeful the hospice will remain open.

With little time to get the issue before neighboring city councils, Belmont would probably keep the hospice going temporarily if it receives tentative commitments from other cities, said Susan Westman, Belmont's city manager.

Forty-seven men and women who have been told they have less than six months to live have stayed at Belmont House since it opened in 1995. Advocates say the yellow Victorian on El Camino Real provides a safe, quiet place for people who would otherwise spend their final days on the street or in cheap motels.

Under a funding formula proposed by Belmont officials, each San Mateo County city would pay a share of the $80,000, based on the percentage of its residents who have been served at the hospice. The city of San Mateo would pay the most, nearly 30 percent.

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