Faced with a dire economy, the approaching winter and rising demand for social services, city leaders have asked the Concord School District for permission to use the decommissioned Dewey School as an emergency shelter for families without a warm place to sleep.
The city predicts a spike in the number of families rendered homeless by job loss, foreclosures or rising rents. Others may still have homes but need to sleep elsewhere because they can't afford heat. Many details, such as cost, liability and logistics, remain unclear , but even the suggestion of using Dewey points to what Mayor Jim Bouley calls a crisis.
In recent months, more and more of Bouley's job has revolved around homelessness and related issues. He's heard from social service providers who say the existing emergency shelters are already overwhelmed. Other agencies point to an increase in requests for help with buying groceries, paying bills and finding jobs as indicators of dire financial need.
"We're seeing people we've never seen before," he said. "These are new faces, people who have never sought social services in the past. We're talking families now."
Bouley and other city leaders looked at community centers and other public buildings, but no city-owned property met fire codes. Earlier this month, Bouley asked the school district for help. A preliminary survey showed that Dewey is safe, but a final decision rests with the school board.
"I strongly encourage the school board to give this a hard look," Bouley said. "The last thing we want is for people to be needlessly cold when we have an open building,"
The district and the city will meet to discuss the idea early Thursday morning.
School board members are open to the idea but say they have many questions. Dewey is heated now, but who would pay for any increase in utilities? What do the neighbors think? Who will staff the shelter? What about liability?
"If it works, it's a great idea," said school board member Marty Honigberg. "The need is there, and if our space can be used it's exactly the kind of thing we should be doing."
Laura Bonk, another member of the board, agreed. It would be hard, she said, to justify a warm, unused building considering the anticipated need.
"I hate having an abandoned building," said Bonk, who lives in the neighborhood near Dewey. "Anything to help people out right now, I'm all for."
Tucked near the new roundabout on Liberty Street, Dewey School has been mostly vacant since 2004, when it was closed due to falling enrollment. Community groups meet there, and the school district uses some rooms for storage. Last year, it housed about 100 students who needed a place to learn for six weeks while hazardous paint was removed from Walker School.
The building is heated enough to keep the pipes from freezing, and it includes a kitchen, multiple bathrooms and a parking lot. It's also a short drive from the two downtown churches that serve as wintertime shelters.
For several years, the First Congregational Church has opened its doors to people without a warm place to sleep. When demand outgrew space, a second shelter was opened at South Congregational Church. Room at the two churches is scarce, and sleeping arrangements are difficult when the staff tries to separate families from single people who have been homeless for years and may be struggling with untreated addictions or mental illnesses.
Other social service providers are similarly overwhelmed. Maggie Fogarty, a homeless advocate with the American Friends Service Committee, hosted a meeting earlier this month to brainstorm solutions. The data that agencies shared, she said, were astounding:
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What is wrong with people. Of course this building should be used for the homeless. So what if it is not up to code. Is the bridges they are sleeping under now up to code? The neighbors?, what's up with that? Are they that selfish that they can't help there fellow man? It's not like that area is upscale to begin with. Most of these homeless people are just hard working people stuck in the system. They really do try. No family wants to live like this.It's not there choice. It's getting colder and colder out there.. Can you people really sleep good at night knowing people are out there all night freezing?
Why not use the houses the school board bought?
I agree this is a wonderful idea to help families. I also think that for the safety of the nearby schools, and homeowners, these people should be screened before being allowed to stay. For instance, Sex Offenders, Drug addicts, etc. This place should be designated for "Families with Children". What a great idea for the City of Concord to help their fellow man. Sign me up to volunteer!
Through the grapevine I have heard that a number of current school board members are against this idea. So, my guess is that it will not pass.
this is all sad but at the same time its invigorating just too know that some one thought for a second about using this property for a temp. shelter. its a great idea and should be done. i travel interstate 93 n in the am everyday and i see two tents set up across the river and think to my self what kind of world we live in to accept this as normal. last monday i stopped after work and walked down past the old delta dental building along the river too find no body there so i left a plastic bag of sweatshirts long johns and stuff i hope these unfortunate people can use. too "I HAVE A JOB" ignorance is such a sad position too take on a subject that is so sad in itself. you may have a job now but what about next year or what about the 85 year old couple down the street that worked all there life but become homeless because ends are not meeting any more?? the hell with them too????
ernie
Homelessness is only 3 or 4 "bad" events in a short period of time for ALL of us. It can happen to anyone. I have been lucky and own a beautiful home and I consider myself lucky that my children will be warm this winter.
With that being said, they should have to pass a drug test first.
It seems that many of you are for helping out the homeless people, but not in helping the educational system, that would give the kids the tools to ensure them, that they never get in this predicament in the first place.
As much as the community should help those in need we need to ask whether this property is best suited for a homeless shelter. With Concord Highschool full of our Cities youth would a homeless center be a safe location there. Some that are homeless have many issues that prevent them from being a part of society. Some may have restrictions. The plan that makes the most sense is to move the Second Start Program on Fisherville Rd over to the Dewey School. Having Second Start programs more Convenient will allow children to take normal school transportation reducing cost. Perhaps a switch of location for our homeless to the current Second Start location would make more sense. We currently have the Mckenna House on fruit street and it would make logical sense to have a homeless shelter on the other end of Concord. The Dewey School could also offer programs for GED , English language classes and other community programs to help develop adult learning. I hope the School Board will think seriously and hold a public hearing before making any decissions with such a big impact.
Robert Baker
This is an admirable thing to do. Get 'er Done! It is getting cold out. I lived on the
streets as a kid, it is no picnic. Their lives are uncertain at best. Compassion for
our fellow man is a necessity for our society. Those who oppose because they
have a job may not be able to say that tomorrow. Where do you get a job in
Berlin?
Okay, how about we make a special exemption for you so that you don't have to pay the extra, oh, about 20 bucks or so to help those in need, and then come the day you or yours needs help I will STILL help you out, because trust me life is not always smooth sailing and you will hit rocky shore at some point. We all have and all will.
On a side note; it takes a very cold person to see a family starving and freezing in the dead of winter and still be able to walk by and say "Not on MY tax dollars will I help them." Shame on you. I'm proud to say that I am raising my children in a such a way that they will never be the type of person you are, and I know many others who are doing the same. Hopefully, we are all bringing in a new generation who are caring and willing enough to help our fellow man. Once again, Shame on you.
Ok, we can't spend money on our kids, for good schools, but we everyone is so concerend about helping the homeless.
Hey, you wouldn't by any chance live in that area and don't want that in your neighborhood.
Shame on you! I guess you have been very fortunate not to know what hard times really are for so many.
Using a building we already have and are spending money to keep from freezing, is not only smart but also practical. There are many in the area, not only adults who are homeless but young children too. It is not only getting a job, oh and by the way I work hard too and may my bills. But I am realistic enough to know not everyone is this lucky. We should be attempting to be a community that has resources, we are the capital of the state, we should be helping our neighbors when times are tough, it doesnt mean they will need it forever. Havent any of you needed a helping hand once? It is a great use of dead space, and maybe there will be people who will have less fear of the homeless, they are not just the people on the streets, they are working inviduals, mothers, fathers, grandparents and children. Alot are ones who have given to this community for years and helped build Concord and make it what it is today. It's almost the holiday season, start the spirit of giving................you will fell better inside.
REMEMBER HOW MUCH THIS WILL COST IN REAL DOLLARS WHEN WE RECEIVE OUR TAX BILLS.
This is a great start for the city of Concord. It's one thing to be homeless by choice, however, the reality is that most of Concord's homeless aren't homeless by choice. How many people really WANT that as a lifestyle?
They say that," Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth." How about those who are born into lifestyles where the next meal is not a guarantee. What about safety- and a warm shelter for these families?
If you disagree with this proposal... how will you feel when you find yourself taking an evening stroll downtown this winter with your Starbucks in hand and you stumble upon a mother and her 3 year old child sleeping on a bench with nothing but a thin cotton blanket to protect them from the bitter air?
Do you really want to see it to believe it?
If we're going to spend money - let's spend our time and resources to designate someone to help the homeless. Perhaps we could get some of them in to work for the state or the city - i see the city is advertising for plow drivers - let's train them and utilize them that are looking for a job. Once that is done we can work on getting low income houseing in place :o)
the building wasn't o.k. to use as a school and it was too expensive to keep open so now we are going to open it for the homeless? HELLOOOO!!
And leaving it empty runs the same risk. Or perhaps you would rather see the building sold and renovated into high end condos?
The idea that the city could use its old school buildings for providing services new and old is a great idea and use of resources in a tight economy. I'd like to see the city use one of its already existing properties for the library expansion. Perhaps another old school?
Those saying "get a job" - there are many homeless - esp. families - who have jobs, but b/c of other circumstances, find themselves without a permanent place to live. Divorces, high medical bills, a layoff and new job at a lower wage, a recent relocation into a new area without family or friends and a job loss -- all these can contribute to homelessness.
Wow, do you really think that it's hard to become homeless? For a family where the father loses his job, can't afford daycare anymore, the car breaks they have to fix it so the mother can get to work, then that makes them miss a rent/mortg payment, and poof! It's that easy. And it CAN happen to ANYONE. It's people like you who make me ashamed of our nation sometimes. We all work hard and support our families, I wish I never have to see the day that someone like you falls on hard times and suddenly needs support. Bah.
I too have a job and I work hard but any one of us could be the next person laid off in this economy. It is wrong to assume someone is homeless because they are lazy rather than just one of the unlucky many who don't (or can't get a job). I for one think this is a fantastic and humanitarian idea and I would be shocked if we as a community couldn't make this happen.
I'll be interested to see your tune change when you lose your job in this economy.
I am sorry, I work hard, to provide a place my children and I. To the homeless people, and welfare receipants, get a job.
The shelter will destroy the historical and cultural value of this building. I think we should look at buildings for shelter, take this one off the list
Using what the city already has to help its needy. I wonder if there's any grant money to be had to help out with the costs? I also wonder if school consolidation goes through if the city could donate this building to one of the non-profits in town that work with the homeless for a larger family shelter on a permanent basis?
My family would be happy to help and donate food, blankets, and personal care items to this place.
why are you asking if you get any money? Isn't it enough that you have a warm, safe place to sleep this winter? Is it really that much to ask that you dig a little deep to help out your fellow man? Every night in America over 1million children under the age of twelve go to sleep homeless, that fact is sad enough- but when it's close to home and we as citizens are able to help? Well, what is there to whine about?
This is so sad that so many people are suffering this way. What is wrong with this country!!!
Good idea! I wonder what the people in that neighborhood will think of this proposal.
What a wonderful idea. Not the most ideal temp home, but could serve a number of families in need during a time of need. A home in an old class room sure beats being on the streets The school board should go for this!!!!
Do we get any money? Because it's going to cost us money for lights, heat,
I hope the school board gets all their questions answered soon, and that the City of Concord goes forward with this idea. There are so many families that need help right now. Bravo on the idea!
I think this is a perfect idea to help American Families! I would love to volunteer to help! Please school board, think of these families hitting hard times, this would be a blessing to them this winter! Great job Mr. Mayor! : )
This seems like a win/win situation.The city is going to pay the price one way or another. There are alot of families in need. I know of one with three children that has not asked for services yet as a family member is helping them, but they will be asking sooner or later.
The school Board should not even blink at this. Lets take care of the American Cititzens that are down and out right now, Thanks Mr. Mayor..