GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As cities across the U.S. are focusing more and more on the homeless population, there is a debate brewing over putting a homeless shelter near a residential neighborhood in Grand Rapids.
Matthew’s House Ministry.
Matthew’s House Ministry is seeking to establish a day center for homeless people on vacant property located at 1050 Leonard Street NW. If approved, the shelter would be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MORE NEWS: Flint to Spend Federal COVID Money On Yoga, Poetry, Dance for ‘Court-Involved Youth’
The shelter would offer Bible studies, counseling services, food and clothing, hot showers for homeless and life skill classes such as learning to sew, knit and parenting classes.
The pushback.
But many nearby residents are protesting having the shelter land in their neighborhood.
Here’s a sample of the numerous complaints sent to the city via email. (Michigan News Source is not publishing the last names of the residents).
Lisa, a Grand Rapids resident: “What they are doing is food distribution, clothing distribution, and shelter services without the overnight option. They outgrew their current location and became a burden to the residential area. It will happen again, and the large foot traffic through this residential area will put strain on our neighborhood.”
Rachel, a Grand Rapids resident: “My children and other children from the neighborhood frequently walk or bike to nearby locations, such as the McDonald’s, the Dollar General, and the Public Library. I generally support the mission and ministry of Matthew’s House. But homelessness is often linked to substance abuse, relationship problems, lack of problem-solving skills, and mental health challenges. … I believe that Matthew’s House can likely keep their area safe during business hours, but what about after hours and on weekends?”
Bettina, a Grand Rapids resident: “I live only a couple of blocks from that area and fear that my personal possessions, property, and person would be extremely negatively impacted with the proposed proximity of this establishment. I often take walks alone during the day on my street (Valley Ave NW) and would no longer feel safe doing that. I would also be concerned with the potential uptick of crime and theft due to the patrons of this day center. I drive past the current Matthew’s house every week currently, and see the impact it has on that intersection. It is dirty, attracts unsafe individuals, and hurts the improvement that the westside has made since I moved to this neighborhood in 2018.”
MORE NEWS: Michigan Lawmaker Proposes Effort to Clean Up Voter Rolls
Doug, a Grand Rapids resident: “We already have Shepherds of Independence on Morgan Street NW. I live on Morgan and the people from Shepherds are constantly stumbling up and down our street at all hours. My neighbors and I are tired of this and have made several complaints to the city. We certainly DO NOT need another place literally blocks from us.”
The support.
Not all were opposed:
Rae, Grand Rapids resident: “I am in favor of Matthews’s House having the opportunity to move to a bigger location on Leonard St. The new building is not near anyone’s yard, can connect with the church across
the street, is on the bus line, is not near a school, and in the new place they will be able to add showers and a kitchen. This program is run with more love than you can imagine. The employees run a tight ship,
know many of the people in need in the area, have a good relationship with the GR police, and they now would have more room to offer other classes to keep people off the street.”