Spencer, IA (KICD)– An organization aimed at helping those struggling with multiple issues is working on plans on expand into Clay County adding to two facilities already in existence in the Iowa Great Lakes Area.

Discovery House Director Jessica Amendt tells KICD News there have been some concerns raised by local officials about a house in Spencer becoming a shelter in the aspect that it could start to attract people needing help from outside the region making it difficult for those in the local area to access services, but she says what her facilities do differs in several ways from a traditional shelter.

Amendt says the decision to pursue finding a location in Clay County comes following a look at usage numbers noting a significant percentage of individuals served in Spirit Lake actually come from Clay County.

No specific opening date has been determined for Discovery House in Spencer. Amendt says she is working to get all of the property transfers taken care of along with gathering support for continued funding to help keep the house running after an initial one hundred thousand dollars granted by an anonymous foundation runs out.