Secret Shelters Last Resort for City's Homeless

A Charlotte Observer investigation reveals what HHH members already knew: an insufficient "official" infastructure to address homelessness, has led members of the community of faith to step up to fill the gaps.

A worthy read - see the below link:

http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/162976.html

Charlotte Observer's Editorial Tackles Homelessness

Published Wednesday, June 20th as an editorial in the Charlotte Observer

Tackling homelessness
Secret shelters no proxy for sufficient public policy, strategy

This city must get serious about tackling homelessness.

The point is astoundingly clear in Observer reporter Fred Kelly's Sunday story. That story detailed a secret world lurking behind Charlotte's skyscrapers and progressive New South image -- a reality that won't land Charlotte on any "world-class" city lists. This world exposes Charlotte's shortcomings in dealing with homelessness, a problem that has outpaced available resources so much that an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people who need shelter can't find it. As a result, a secret network of shelters has cropped up to try and fill the void, the Observer discovered after a two-week probe.

The makeshift shelters have been offering help to the hardest cases, often people kicked out of shelters or drug treatment programs, or homeless mothers trying to keep custody of their children. But the shelters have come under fire for safety concerns and zoning violations. Recently, city officials ordered a facility in a north Charlotte strip mall closed after police complained it attracted troublemakers to an already crime-plagued community.

Those are legitimate concerns. Police said the north Charlotte building housed suspects in a rash of break-ins. Fire officials cite safety concerns -- the number of people inside if a fire broke out, or whether the buildings are equipped with necessary fire extinguishers or smoke detectors.
Advocates for the poor are concerned about the welfare of the people being served. Social workers told our reporter that unscrupulous operators taking advantage of mentally and physically disabled people is not uncommon.

Yet it is also true that most of these people get no help anyway. These makeshift shelters take in people who are mostly fending for themselves -- often living in highway underpasses, the woods or any nook and cranny they can find.

Helping some of these makeshift shelters find a way to operate in the open is advantageous. Many efforts have been laudable.

Hoskins Park Ministries shows the benefits. Johnny Allen, one of the founders, initially allowed homeless men to stay at his house. He didn't seek permission because city officials shut down an earlier shelter. Now, Hoskins Park has an office and has provided housing to nearly 400 men since 2001. The ministry is lauded for helping get many men back on their feet.
Still, these shelters can only help on the edges. Our community needs better strategies to deal with homelessness -- more affordable housing, city shelters, job training, higher-paying jobs and improved mental health and drug treatment.

City code enforcement manager Walter Abernethy has a point. Of the makeshift homeless centers, he said: "There's got to be a better way."

This community must do more to find it.

Observer's Photos of HHH Dance

Published in the society page of last Sunday's paper and on the Charlotte.com website are the following snapshots from our dance:

The leaders of the dance from left to right: Liz Clasen, Richard Lincoln, Debra Small, Danny McDowell, Claudia Moses, Dirk Thune, Rollon Washington, and Brad Cain

Below HHH member Rollon Washington dances with guest Ann Baldwin

Debra Small and Calvin James break it down

Stapleton Davidson interns kept the dancing up all night long

Recap of First HHH Community Dance

HHH Dance Rhyme, by Tommy Yarborough

Twas the eve of the dance and we were all there,
Hanging decorations because we all care.

Before the music started, we learned that for our trouble
a foundation told us what we earned, they would double.

So now we could relax, dance, and have fun
relieved of the stress, for the event was our first one.

The DJ came in and provided the beat -
It seemed everyone was delighted and danced happy feet.

Solomon Williams played piano, eloquently handling the keys
as he charmed with his talents of Prince and Lionel melodies

Our first fundraising dance was a tremendous success.
Thanks to those who attended - Good day and God bless.

Members Pedro and Oleen overseeing our 50/50 raffle.
Realtors Susan Bednar and Sophie Marshall from Keller-Williams came out to support our efforts.
Stapleton-Davidson intern Sarah Coffey cutting the rug with HHH member Wade Morgan

Member Rob Weigle with community supporter Amy Leary
Member Debra Smalls, who both manned the drink table and commanded the floor for Michael Jackson's "Beat It."
The electric slide - a necessity at any dance!
Liz Clasen getting the dancing off to an early start with Joslyn Ogden
DJ Markie D kept the funky tunes pumping all night

As noted in Tommy's rhyme above, the first HHH community dance was a smashing success. With over 80 individuals in attendance, the dance floor remained full all night. As dance participant Barbara Conrad commented, "The event was a great equalizer. There was no 'homeless' or 'housed' on the dance floor." It is true - St. Martin's fellowship hall was likely the most diverse gathering in Charlotte last Saturday night. Black, white, young, old, housed, and homeless alike gathered on the floor together. It was a soul train line unlike any one has seen before!

Only a few hours before the dance began, members received word from the Avenir Foundation that ever dollar raised by the dance would be matched by the foundation up to $1,500. With over $1,000 raised by the dance, the foundation's generous contribution meant the group exceeded their goal. Thanks to the community's support, we will be off to Washington, DC next month to attend the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference and meet with our Congress people.

Thanks again to our sponsors: Fuel Pizza, Papa Johns, Coca-Cola, Fox & Hound, Matt's Chicago Dogs, Rock Bottom Brewery, Knight's Inn, and Lemon Tree Cosmetics.

We look forward to next year's event.