AMHERST — A Quincy-based temporary shelter that includes transitional housing, along with a resource center for people to find jobs, medical care and permanent homes, is being eyed as a model for how Amherst might redevelop the former VFW site at 457 Main St.

Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek said municipal staff, members of the Amherst Affordable Housing Trust and others involved in meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness visited Father Bill’s and MainSpring last week, also known as Father Bill’s Place, to determine whether a similar project could work in Amherst.

The field trip to Quincy, which took place Wednesday, comes as the town is getting ready to hire an architect to design a building for the site, which is just under an acre, with the request for proposal advertisement seeking design services for a site layout and concept of supportive sheltering.

But many questions still have to be answered in the coming weeks, Ziomek said, including the size of the permanent shelter that would be on the site, the other supportive services that could be located there, and how many affordable apartments could be put at the location.

“What sort of shelter do we need? What other supporting services could co-locate there?” Ziomek said.

Acquired by the town for $775,000 in January 2023, using a portion of $1 million from American Rescue Plan Act money, the site had long been used by the Earl J. Sanders Post 754, which was formed in 1921. The VFW building was constructed in 1961, mostly by World War II veterans.

Because of the site’s history, Ziomek said there is a hope the project will have a veterans element, with some apartments reserved for those with military experience.

There also will be ongoing conversation with representatives of Craig’s Doors: A Home Association, Inc., which oversees the year-round shelter currently at Immanuel Lutheran Church; Valley Community Development, the nonprofit that recently completed the East Gables affordable housing development on Northampton Road; and Way Finders, the nonprofit putting together a significant affordable housing development on South East Street and Belchertown Road.

A report back on the visit to Father Bill’s is expected at a coming Amherst Affordable Housing Trust meeting.

Building Commissioner Rob Morra said demolition of the former VFW building should be done later this spring, adding that removal of hazardous materials is complete.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.