Margaret Hastings writes: >"...teams of social service workers, the police, other public servants go out to find >and get people who are outside into a warm shelter until the temp rises. On those >days no one can be refused shelter." >
DP: I sure hope this can be done for less than the current costs of over $700.00 per mat. Vicky mentions an annual operating budget for the 7 Corners shelter of $165,000. Amortize the up front cost of renovating the building ($350,000 from the bankrupt State of Minnesota ) over ten years and you reach a higher cost of over $700.00 per man, per month for a spot on the floor. Yet this building does not meet handicap accessibility codes and there are issues with lead and asbestos and it doesn't meet parking requirements. The costs are rising. More from Margaret Hastings: >"It seems like a slam dunk that it is not ok for people to have to be forced into the >streets." > >"Steve Brandt's article in today's Tribune is an example of the rather sloppy manner >that the issue of "affordable housing" tends to be discussed among many sectors: >reporters, politicians, advocates, etc." "...I am not sure if it simply sloppy reporting >or intentional avoidance of providing information." > >"2) People who claim they are liberal and say they listen to the news who then turn >around and ask "sincere questions" about the obvious i.e. that shelters are >overflowing in Mpls and people are forced out to the streets to sleep." > DP: Talk about sloppy reporting. Who is being "forced out in the streets"? If someone chooses to spend every dime that comes their way on a chemical habit, are they being "forced out on the street"? If a person is evicted for damaging property, being reckless or not paying rent have they been "forced out on the street"? It sounds like there are shelter beds available for those who are sober. The Skyway News reported last 2/7/02 that the People Serving People shelter on Portland had 100 vacancies, in the recent tragic story of a man freezing it was reported that the Dorothy Day shelter 1 mile away had vacancies. Could it be that there is an abundance of sober shelter mats and a shortage of shelters that will accept those who are drunk or high on drugs? David Brauer asks a legitimate question. How many people were turned away from shelters last night? The answer is not obvious. I have recently observed admission at St. Stephen's and no one was turned away. I was told by a homeless man that I could get a spot that night "No problem." Bill Cullen: >"I also agree with David Brauer's question. Are homeless folk being >turned away from shelters? Last Tuesday night, I was at a shelter in Mpls. I >was there from 7 - 9 PM. There were far more empty beds than full ones. >Since I don't visit shelters often, I am unsure if my experience is the norm or if missed >something. > Thank you Bill. I'm glad to know there are others who question these claims and are willing to look into things for themselves. Our politicians are too busy writing checks. Can we have some answers by someone outside of the shelter field? How many homeless are there in Minneapolis, men, women, youth? How many sober individuals are turned away each night? What is the average length of time a homeless male spends in the shelter system? Is there a way to measure success, how many men have turned their lives around? It's the humanitarian thing to supply a warm space out of the cold. That's a slam dunk. But what's with $700/month. Take the $350,000 renovation money and build a shelter that meets code and you can sleep 100 men for the same costs. Dan Prozinski Cedar Riverside 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
