GETZVILLE, N.Y. — A brand new group home sits empty until Heritage Christian Services can find the staff to work in it.

The newly built home in Getzville will house six young women with intellectual disabilities and give them the sense of independence many people in their 20s seek.

However, due to the low wages direct service professionals and other caregivers are paid by the state, staffing directors struggle to fill their roster.

What You Need To Know

  • Heritage Christian Services opens a new, state-funded, group home in Getzville

  • Six women are set to live here

  • No one can move in until the home is fully staffed

  • The difficulty in staffing comes from low state minimum wages for caregivers and direct service professionals

"Staffing the homes has definitely been a crisis. Along with many of the homes that are currently open we are struggling to staff this one," said Kimberly Hubert, director of residential services at Heritage Christian Services.

She said in her 25 years with the organization, she has never seen state funds so low.

Heritage Christian Services hosted a job fair to show people where they could work, and meet some of the residents, if they choose to apply.

"Once you walk into one of our homes and the relationships start, it’s just a fun job," Hubert continued.

Hubert said applicants do not need a post-secondary degree and all training will be on-the-job. Residents would move in after the home has about 14 fully-trained staff members.