Posted 12:49 am Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Tyler City Leaders Speed Along Homeless Center
By JACQUE
HILBURN-SIMMONS
Staff Writer
Tyler city leaders appear to be expediting the creation of a new day resource center to aid the homeless.
HILBURN-SIMMONS
Staff Writer
Tyler city leaders appear to be expediting the creation of a new day resource center to aid the homeless.
A special operating permit and updated zoning are requested for 601 Valentine St. so Gateway to Hope, a nonprofit, can operate a new homeless day resource center at the location.
The Planning and Zoning Commission plans to consider the requests today, followed by the Tyler City Council on Wednesday, a quick turn-around compared to other items that can take a couple of weeks.
Both requests stem from an earlier recommendation from Mayor Barbara Bass' homeless task force, which said a well-run resource center can go a long way in helping people help themselves.
City Manager Mark McDaniel said task force members spent “considerable time and effort” to figure out solutions to a growing problem, so it's appropriate to move on them.
“We do not want dust to settle on the report, but rather we want to move forward expeditiously on those items we are able to — like the day resource center the Gateway to Hope is working toward,” the manager said.
“We do not want dust to settle on the report, but rather we want to move forward expeditiously on those items we are able to — like the day resource center the Gateway to Hope is working toward,” the manager said.
If the items are approved as hoped, city officials plan to ultimately convey ownership of the Valentine Street property to Gateway to Hope so long as it operates for public purposes.
But if the intended use changes, ownership can revert back to the city.
To receive a special use permit, officials must weigh whether the intended use will create a negative impact on the area, City Planner Heather Nick said in her report to the city council.
A number of conditions also apply if the day resource center is to continue operating on a long-term basis at the location, officials said.
The special-use permit requires that there be no overnight stays, loitering, trespassing onto private property, pan-handling, improper use of bus stops or criminal activity, records show.
Center officials must agree also to maintain a client roster and provide daytime programming and activities.
“If the action plan and conditions of this special-use permit are not followed, the permit may be revoked,” Ms. Nick said.
City leaders agreed last month to create a Homeless Roundtable to begin work on implementing all 10 of the task force’s recommendations, which center on helping people connect with resources.
Officials estimate there could be 243 homeless people living in the Tyler-Smith County area, including many children.
Others are described by homeless advocates as people who are seniors, unemployed, disabled, mentally ill and military veterans.
“Most of our homeless are not there through any fault of their own,” Councilman Donald Sanders said, describing some of their plights as “situational.”
The goal is to help people develop their independence, officials said.
The Rev. Pat Mallory, a minister at First Baptist Church who is closely involved in the proposed day resource center, said earlier that day resource visitors will be given photo identification and a mailing address so they can more easily seek employment.
The center will include shower facilities, computers for completing job applications and connections to mental health care, but no soup kitchen, as there are already food sources available in the community, the reverend said.
But if the intended use changes, ownership can revert back to the city.
To receive a special use permit, officials must weigh whether the intended use will create a negative impact on the area, City Planner Heather Nick said in her report to the city council.
A number of conditions also apply if the day resource center is to continue operating on a long-term basis at the location, officials said.
The special-use permit requires that there be no overnight stays, loitering, trespassing onto private property, pan-handling, improper use of bus stops or criminal activity, records show.
Center officials must agree also to maintain a client roster and provide daytime programming and activities.
“If the action plan and conditions of this special-use permit are not followed, the permit may be revoked,” Ms. Nick said.
City leaders agreed last month to create a Homeless Roundtable to begin work on implementing all 10 of the task force’s recommendations, which center on helping people connect with resources.
Officials estimate there could be 243 homeless people living in the Tyler-Smith County area, including many children.
Others are described by homeless advocates as people who are seniors, unemployed, disabled, mentally ill and military veterans.
“Most of our homeless are not there through any fault of their own,” Councilman Donald Sanders said, describing some of their plights as “situational.”
The goal is to help people develop their independence, officials said.
The Rev. Pat Mallory, a minister at First Baptist Church who is closely involved in the proposed day resource center, said earlier that day resource visitors will be given photo identification and a mailing address so they can more easily seek employment.
The center will include shower facilities, computers for completing job applications and connections to mental health care, but no soup kitchen, as there are already food sources available in the community, the reverend said.
