David Brauer asks: "Are people in Minneapolis being refused/turned away from shelter tonight?"
Vicky comments: Two weeks ago, Saturday night 2/22, a business colleague of mine went over to St. Stephen's shelter to find out the answer to David's question. There were many available spots. I realize that one spot check does not prove a point - so we are in the process of organizing several undercover spot checks. I have been told, but have not verified, that the new women's shelter at 4th & Portland is half empty. Claims are circulating (unknown original source) that the vacant rooms cannot house homeless men, because there is no way to separate them from the women. Who is in charge of this shelter anyway - the County or the City? To make a long story short: We don't have many facts to go with the emotional pleas. A group of 7 Corners business people and I have been trying to point this out for three years. Council Member Zerby thinks it's a good idea to use $350,000 of taxpayer money to remodel the third floor of a building (for a tenant, not the owner), AND pay $165,000 per year to place 25 mats on the floor for homeless men - $550 per mat per month. Here is what I do know for sure: Every night in Minneapolis, we have more than one million square feet of warm vacant space that the taxpayers have already paid for. If there really are homeless people in need - surely we can match them up with existing space. Maybe some of our churches and social service non-profits could step up to the plate too (they are tax exempt for a reason.) One last thought: Isn't it the County's responsibility to deliver social services? What can the City do anyway - other than open up a few park buildings at night - like New York did. And thanks David for asking for the facts. I hope other media people will do the same. Vicky Heller Cedar-Riverside and North Oaks TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
