Plans to bus homeless people to a temporary shelter at Edmondson-Westside High School in West Baltimore drew outrage Tuesday, after community leaders said Baltimore City officials failed to give them adequate notice of the move.
“We just found out about this yesterday, that really is not good enough,” Don Sherrod, president of Rognel Heights Community Association, said Tuesday, adding that a protest was planned for that night. “We?re going to lock arms in front of the school and stop people from coming.”
“They?ve known about this for months,” added Jean Hamilton, president of the Edgewood community association. “The community should have a say.”
The plan comes on the heels of the city deciding to shut a downtown shelter on Fayette Street, which had been open for three months. About 150 homeless people will be transported from downtown to the high school every night for about four months.
Roy Schreiber, spokeman for city Department of Housing, said: “We were waiting for [approval from] the Board of Education but we found out we didn?t need it, and we notified the community.” Addressing community concerns that the shelter lacked adequate permits, he said the housing department has the right to waive those permits.
City officials said temporary shelters have caused few problems in the past.
“In every location we?ve moved the temporary shelters, neighbors have raised concerns but in every case, it has worked fine and not caused problems,” said Sterling Clifford, spokesman for Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Residents said the plan means homeless people will still be in the building after the school year begins.
“I have nothing against the homeless, but putting them in the school strikes me as unsanitary,” said Antonio Wesley, who lives a few blocks away.
“I don?t think it should be in school; there could be fighting or people using drugs. You don?t know,” said Betty Patto, 71, another nearby resident.
Meanwhile, homeless residents living in an encampment next to the Main Post office downtown said the city needed to find a permament solution.
“I don?t know why they closed the shelter downtown,” said David Turner, 42, who said he has been homeless for seven months after he was released from jail. “What we really need is our own apartment. With a little bit of help, I think we could get it.”
Others expressed concern that the new shelter would be inadequate. “They only said they have space for 50 women and 100 men,” said Victoria James, 41, who said she has been homeless for six years.
“I don?t think that?s enough room.”
City officials indicated the shelter?s capacity still was being determined.
