Panel Votes to Keep Winter Shelters Open
Despite protests from neighbors,the city Planning Commission has approved permit amendments for seven religious facilities to continue providing cold weather homeless shelters through March.
The shelters house women and families and have been operating under a temporary permit authorized by the City Council on Dec. 14.
Most of the seven people who spoke out against the program own homes near the congregations that serve as nightly shelters. Some are concerned that bringing homeless people into their neighborhoods may increase crime.
Homeless advocates and shelter volunteers assured the commission that the impact on neighborhoods is minimal and that the time people spend in the shelters is fairly structured. Residents have until Jan. 15 to appeal the decision to the City Council.
Meanwhile, city and county officials working on a long-term regional strategy to tackle homelessness will be guided by a confidential survey that all who are housed in the temporary shelter are required to complete.
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