Homeless shelter ordinance leaves issues unaddressed

A change to the city’s ordinance for homeless shelters could affect their future in the Sun City. But the impact it will have overall and on one facility in particular left those on both sides of the debate unhappy with the results.

Much of the discussion Tuesday centered on the future of the Rescue Mission. But the outcome of the vote to implement ordinance changes didn’t address some key concerns on either side of the issue.

The Rescue Mission, currently off Paisano Drive, is being forced to move to make room for the completion of Loop 375. But the new location on 900 Wyoming Avenue has residents in that area concerned.

The ordinance changes voted by city council re-define the kinds of facilities used to help the homeless and where they can be built. Existing buildings will be grandfathered in, including the new Rescue Mission location since permits have already been approved.

Activists say the new ordinance makes it harder for the more than 5,000 homeless who use those services each year to re-join the community.

“In a very simple answer, I’m not in favor of it at all,” said John Martin, board member of the El Paso Coalition for the Homeless. “Because of the stigma that’s associated with homelessness, because when you have an ordinance that just reinforces that stigma. Because when we look at that recovery process, that recovery process involves the entire community, the community coming together to support them.”

Some residents and organizations in the area near the new Rescue Mission location say their concerns were disregarded.

“We do not feel that this proposed location for the Rescue Mission is appropriate for our neighborhood,” said Nick Cobos, interim princIpal for St. Clement’s School. “We do not want, now or in the future, an emergency center or a drug-alcohol center.”

ABC-7 also spoke with Blake Barrow, director for the Rescue Mission. He said that the ordinance and discussion will not change the plans for the new Rescue Mission. Barrow said he will honor his promise to move the drug and alcohol program to another location, but added that the definitions of homeless shelter and other facilities in the ordinance are too vague.