NLR Gives Ministry OK To Run Homeless
Center Special Permit Limits Operation to 2 Years
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock)
By: Jake Sandlin
First published: July 15, 2008
Emphasizing the move as a temporary measure and one to be closely monitored, the North Little Rock City Council on Monday approved River City Ministry's bid to manage an expanded day-resource center for the area's homeless.
The council voted 5-3 after almost 90 minutes of discussion to grant a special-use permit, to be limited for two years, to the ministry within a residential area at 1021 E. Washington Ave., east of downtown.
An emergency clause initially fell short of the three-fourths votes needed for the permit to become effective immediately, but it passed in a re-vote.
Little Rock and North Little Rock contributed a combined $300,000 toward opening a center this year - North Little Rock's portion is $75,000 - as a first step in a 10-year plan to alleviate chronic homelessness in the area.
About 1,800 people are estimated to be homeless in central Arkansas.
Mayor Patrick Hays cast the final vote for passage, then pledged that he will "sit on front porches" in the neighborhood to gauge any adverse effect on residents from the ministry's expanded role. The permit also would expire if funding by the local governments ends.
"This council will remain actively involved to make sure this will be a plus instead of what some perceive to be a minus," said Hays, who has stressed he wanted assurances the move would be temporary.
The Arkansas Homeless Coalition is continuing to try to find another location for a day-resource center, possibly in Little Rock.
Aldermen Olen Thomas, Cary Gaines, John Parker and Charlie Hight voted for the special-use permit. Aldermen Neil Bryant, Debi Ross and Linda Robinson voted against it. Alderman Murry Witcher was absent.
The mayor's vote is needed only to break a tie or to pass legislation.
During a public-comment portion, six residents spoke in support of the ministry's efforts and three against it.
The expanded day-resource center is to operate from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and won't house clients overnight. Each day, it is to provide up to 125 people hot meals, showers, laundry facilities and links to 100 or so other aid providers.
River City Ministry is a faith-based nonprofit that started serving the poor in 1989 and on average feeds 40-50 people a hot lunch and aids about 100 people per day with either meals, clothing, medical care or social services all for free.
Its current hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
"We're sure willing to work with the city and with the neighborhood ... whatever we need to do," Jim Woodell, River City Ministry's executive director, said after the vote. "We want to be good neighbors." During discussions, Robinson, Ross and Bryant asked pointed questions about the closest neighbors being fearful of the number of homeless men walking across their properties and panhandling. They also questioned the ministry's inability to serve all needs, such as helping homeless find work. One resident echoed those fears.
"I don't want all of them running up and down the street," said Effie Green, who said she lives a half block from the ministry.
"At night, I'm afraid to go out my door." Woodell responded that the ministry would put up a fence if necessary. River City Ministry's proposal calls for hiring three new staff members and extra security at a cost of $189,400 - and having them at night if needed, Woodell added.
Several supporters took up for the ministry's work.
"My life is turned around. I'm 123 days clean," said Robert Millar, who said he was formerly homeless but now is a working taxpayer for the city.
"It may not offer every service. But if they can help one person, that makes this city a better place." "None of you know what it means to be homeless," Dollie Faux said to the council.
"River City Ministry is trying to give people a helping hand. You're not going to save them all, but the ones you can are worth it." In February, a Mayors Coalition on Homelessness chose River City Ministry from two bids received for the day center's operation.
The process stalled when North Little Rock officials decided that zoning around the ministry didn't allow for the expanded day-resource center, necessitating the special permit application.
North Little Rock's Planning Commission then rejected the permit application May 13 after residents of the neighborhood expressed concern over it becoming a gathering place for the area's homeless.
While waiting on the permit's approval, Little Rock and the Salvation Army Little Rock Area Command opened a shelter at 1111 W. Markham St. last week as a cooling site until Labor Day for the homeless and other people who need air conditioning.
The shelter will operate daily as a cooling center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A 2007 report by Arkansas Management Information System said more than 20,000 people statewide received assistance from homeless-service providers last year. During a January count, 1,822 homeless people were counted in Pulaski, Prairie, Saline and Lonoke counties.
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