This is the first time that I have posted to this list, however I have been reading and following along for a few weeks.
I was alerted to the list by a fellow shelter worker who told me that there were some strange things being said about homeless people within our community. I know this is a late response, but I found myself thinking about it all weekend. On Feb. 28 Barb Lickness wrote, "I just wish that all the people employed in the shelter care industry would make an attempt to build some of these homeless shelters in neighborhoods where they live instead of consistently empassioned pleas for why they should be concentrated in my neighborhood." I have worked at St. Stephen's Shelter for over six years. I have lived in Whittier or Phillips for almost all of those six years, as have many of my colleagues. I recently purchased a home in Northeast Minneapolis because I could no longer afford to pay the high rents that go along with the Whitter neighborhood, however I highly wish I could have afforded a home within walking distance of 2211 Clinton Avenue South. The homes down the block from St. Stephen's are selling for upwards of $250,000.00, a little out of the average shelter workers price range. I would have liked to become more involved with neighborhood development and I have attended a few neighborhood meetings in Whittier, however it is difficult for me ethically to participate with a group who has so resoundingly voted "no" to Lydia House. I feel as though the hundreds of guests that stay at St. Stephen's Shelter each year were being disregarded just because they don't pay rent or own land. Lickness, who responded the loudest the the 'homeless during the day' question, also wrote, "I have not seen one post, one letter, one news article, or attended any meetings where this industry was attempting to build these shelters anywhere in the city other than Whittier or Phillips." St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Simpson Methodist Church, and Love Power Church have been attempting to open a shelter on the West Bank for approx. two years. There have been numerous public hearings and at least one article written in both the Star and Tribune and the City Pages about this endeavor. In my new neighborhood there are many supportive housing units and half-way houses. There is also a new supportive housing development under construction on Central Avenue. Furthermore, 'Hope Harbor,' which is the newest supportive housing complex to open is on the north side of downtown, near the 'Evergreen Residence,' still another supportive housing residence that is fairly new and not in Whittier or Phillips. on March 1, Barb Lickness also wrote: "Somewhere between the drunk and drug addict homeless and the working homeless there are the mentally ill homeless. They too are forced to wanted the streets aimlessly." She forgot to mention the homeless children. Over 50% of homeless people in Minneapolis are children. She also forgot to mention that 40% of the adult homeless people in Minnesota are employed, making an average of only $8.00 per hour. In order to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Whittier, they would need to be making around $12-14.00 per hour. If anyone is interested in hearing firsthand what homeless people do all day, feel free to volunteer at a shelter. Both Simpson and St. Stephen's Shelter are fully staffed overnight by a volunteer work force. Peace, Allysen Hoberg Shelter Director, St. Stephen's Shelter >From: loki anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: Mpls Issues List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [Mpls] Homeless during the day >Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 08:17:08 -0800 (PST) > > >--- Barbara Lickness <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > And meanwhile, the churches and ex-nursing homes in > > most neighborhoods (38th St. and 4th Av.) remain > > empty > > at night because people don't want these shelters or > > supportive housing facilities in their neighborhood. > > > > Hennepin County turned the Armory that could have > > housed hundreds of people into a parking ramp. And > > now, it looks like the City Council wants to > > reconsider releasing the $4 million dollars from the > > NRP Affordable Housing Fund. Check out the minutes > > from the Committee of the Whole meeting yesterday > > and > > call your council member. Go figure. > >A sad bit of irony to let your council members mull >over: kitty corner from City Hall (the NW corner of >4th St and 3rd Ave S) is a sidewalk heating grate that >has served as a shelter substitute for a homeless >fellow on the coldest nights this winter. He is >usually still sleeping there when I catch my bus to >work at 6 in the morning. > > Loki Anderson > Marshall Terrace > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >===== >"In their styes with all their backing > They don't care what goes on around > In their eyes there's something lacking > What they need's a damn good whacking" > -George Harrison > >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Yahoo! Greetings - Send FREE e-cards for every occasion! >http://greetings.yahoo.com >_______________________________________ >Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy >Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: >http://e-democracy.org/mpls _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
