Wilmington reviewing homeless shelter proposals
NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — After a push from Housing and Neighborhood Services, the city of Wilmington is reviewing multiple proposals for a new homeless shelter as leaders look to expand resources and better address the needs of the community’s homeless population.
At a City Council meeting on Jan. 6, Housing and Neighborhood Services Director Rachel Shuler outlined priorities for a new shelter, including a model with limited or no barriers to entry.
“You may have a person with active addiction. They may have mental or physical disabilities, and so that’s really where you’re seeing Good Shepherd. Where you get into the extremely low or no barrier is when you’re looking at folks that may have some criminal background,” said Shuler.
City leaders have also emphasized the need for a 24-hour downtown facility focused on housing and case management. The city later issued a request for information and received responses from several organizations, including Living Hope Day Center.
“We need to find a way that the city, the county, and an organization like ours can collaborate together,” said Tony Perez.
Living Hope is co-run by Perez, who said his vision for a downtown shelter differs from the direction outlined by the City Council.\
“I don’t think they like my ideas because I really am a proponent for just a day shelter. I think a day shelter and a night shelter need to be separate entities,” said Perez.
LINC (Leading Into New Communities) also submitted a detailed proposal for a low-barrier shelter, including potential sites, staffing plans, and a full budget. One proposed location is on Princess Street near the “Soda Pop District.”
Co-director Frankie Robers says their goal is to serve people who often face barriers elsewhere.
“You typically have to have an ID, which is a barrier, so those people have to fit back in society,” said Roberts.
The Healing Place of New Hanover County is proposing a low-barrier shelter with 40 in-house beds. Executive Director Brian Minga said the need for expanded services is evident.
“The fact that the city and the county and everybody involved is getting to a point where they want to add additional services is good for the community at large,” said Minga.
Beyond Wilmington, organizations such as Stephens Outreach Center — which operates a facility in Lumberton and a newer office in Wilmington — are also looking to expand services in the area.
“We literally want it to be a one-stop shop where they could get all their mental health and or substance abuse services needed addressed right there,” said Alicia Moore, CEO of Stephens Outreach Center.
The City is continuing discussions with various organizations and expects to have more concrete plans in July.
