THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502040067
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY JUDITH PARKER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 143 lines
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF a permanent shelter for the homeless in Portsmouth may be slowly inching its way toward a reality.
Portsmouth Volunteers For The Homeless, with assistance from the Portsmouth Community Development Group, wants to build a shelter in Downtown to house, and eventually offer a variety of rehabilitation services to 32 men, four women and at least one family. With the installation of bunk beds, the facility's capacity for sheltering individuals would be doubled.
In addition, accommodations for at least one live-in staff member, and overnight sleeping quarters for two volunteers, would be included.
``I feel we're making real headway on the project,'' said David Stephenson, chairman of the volunteer group and owner of Suburban Pharmacy in Westhaven.
Since 1991, a growing number of Downtown churches have been operating on-site, overnight shelters for the homeless between November and March. The program began with three Olde Towne churches, Monumental United Methodist, Trinity Episcopal and First Presbyterian. In 1993, St. Paul's Catholic Church joined the program, and this year Martin Luther King United Methodist became a fifth site. The five churches operate on a rotating two-week schedule.
This is the first winter that the shelters are open every night. Previously, they were open only if the temperature dropped to freezing.
``We're really excited that shelters are available every night,'' Stephenson said. ``But cold weather isn't the only problem these people have.
``A permanent shelter will provide us with the opportunity to channel these people into resources like the Community Services Board, substance abuse and job placement programs. These are the things that will get them off the street and into independent living,'' Stephenson added.
``Our aim is to get people back into society.''
There are no statistics on the number of homeless in Portsmouth, Stephenson said. His group, however, is attempting to document the number of individuals who make use of temporary shelters that operate throughout the winter months in the city.
A concern raised even by some homeless advocates within his organization, Stephenson concedes, is that a Portsmouth shelter will attract individuals from other cities.
``We don't think that will be a problem,'' he said.
``Norfolk has the Union Mission and Virginia Beach has a shelter. Besides, it's not like a homeless person will say to himself, `I'll just jump in my car and go over to Portsmouth's shelter.' ''
Last year, the group explored purchasing buildings in Downtown, including the Knights of Columbus hall on County Street, or the former Portsmouth Catholic High School on London Boulevard and Washington Street. Neither suggestion went much beyond the group's board room.
``It's really tough finding a location,'' Stephenson said, ``but we firmly believe that wherever we put it, it will be an asset to the area.''
Although he didn't say so verbally, Stephenson gestured ``yes'' when asked if his group was exploring the possibility of locating a homeless shelter within the Effingham Corridor, an area the Economic Development Department has described as ``defining the image of Downtown and the overall city.''
Effingham Corridor is bounded by London Boulevard, Washington Street, Interstate 264, and the converging streets of Crabapple, Apple and Hatton.
The city has done extensive removal of dilapidated buildings in the area, and has attempted to enhance its visual appeal through its Streetscape Program.
Matthew James, Economic Development director, said he has not been in contact with anyone from Stephenson's group to discuss a homeless shelter within the boundaries of Effingham Corridor.
``No, not to my knowledge,'' James said.
Stephenson's group has had discussion with Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority about a location.
PRHA's Gordon Wheatley, however, said there is little he can offer the homeless advocates.
``We had one meeting and discussed some properties, but in terms of the kind of acreage they want, there are no PRHA properties in the Downtown area,'' Wheatley said.
``We did suggest they might want to explore the former Princess Ribbon Corporation site,'' which is located on Chestnut Street in Prentis Place.
``Wherever they want to go, however, they'll probably run into opposition,'' Wheatley added, ``and we're not eager to get into the middle of a neighborhood fight.''
Said Stephenson: ``We know locating a permanent homeless shelter in Portsmouth is not an image the city wants. And we've been told that a site on High Street, or any main thoroughfare, is off limits.
``But we believe there is a need for a permanent shelter, and it has to be located Downtown. It can't be in Churchland, for example'' Stephenson said, ``because it must be someplace people can walk to.''
Meanwhile, James McElroy, of McElroy Carow & Gupta Architects, has rendered plans for an 8,150-square feet, one-story building.
Such a facility would cost an estimated $500,000, said McElroy, who is working pro bono for Volunteers for the Homeless.
``That would exclude cost of the land, which would be anybody's guess. But as I understand, the organization is hoping someone will donate a site for the shelter,'' McElroy added.
Financing a permanent shelter, with costs for land purchase, construction, furnishings, and staff salaries would be a formidable task for the homeless volunteer group.
``We're hoping to receive state and federal grants,'' Stephenson said. ``Of course, we have to have a site first.''
The group, which does not plan to seek tax-exempt status, also anticipates substantial support from local churches and synagogues for its as-yet-undetermined annual operating budget, Stephenson said.
``The answers aren't easy,'' he said, ``but I think we can do this.'' MEMO: WINTER SCHEDULE
Monumental United Methodist
450 Dinwiddie St.
Through Tuesday
First Presbyterian Church
515 Court St.
Wednesday through Feb. 16
St. Paul's Catholic Church
463 Washington St.
Feb. 17-25
Trinity Episcopal Church
500 Court St.
Feb. 26-March 6
Martin Luther King United Methodist Church
1701 Elm Ave.
March 7-15
Doors open at 9 p.m. unless otherwise posted. No alcohol, drugs,
weapons or smoking is allowed. Identification is required. If someone
does not have identification, they will be admitted one time only. ID's
can be obtained from OASIS, 1020 High St.
ILLUSTRATION: Color photo on cover
Photo of design
James McElroy, of McElroy Carow & Gupta Architects, has designed an
8,150-square foot shelter. The building would have a brick veneer
exterior. The interior walls would either be plaster or gypsum wall
board, with vinyl floor covering - all of which McElroy said are the
most cost effective.
Map
KEYWORDS: INDIGENT PEOPLE SHELTER by CNB