Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Greensboro City Council voted unanimously on August 5 to approve a $463,000 contract to continue to fund the Interactive Resource Center (IRC). The funds will allow the IRC to operate for at least six more months.
The city agreed to provide 300,000, with an additional $163,000 from The Safe Parking Program, which provided lot space behind the IRC for the homeless to sleep in their cars.
The IRC leadership previously asked for $588,000 from the city, however due to increasing concerns about safety and trash, the IRC was asked to submit a revised budget. In July, IRC leaders submitted a request to the city for $844,046 for the Drop-In center. This is part of a 1.3-million-dollar request for four programs, including rapid rehousing, winter pallet shelters, and traveler’s aid. The city’s portion will now cover a little more than half of the proposed budget.
“I think the city has made some good progress. I think people need to reach out to the county to find out where they stand on this,” said Mayor Nancy Vaughan. She noted that while the county was involved at the council work session, the Board of Commissioners has not made any commitment as of yet.
Seventeen people spoke at the council meeting in support of the fund approval resolution which was postponed from council’s July 16 meeting. The main ask was what else was the city planning to do to continue to support the needs that the homeless population faces.
“Some of these issues we do see common ground on, but others we are miles away from. There has been some violent crime that has happened in that area that further illustrates why we need to continue on the measures we are taking,” said Community member Philip Marsh.
There has been an increase in police calls from nearby businesses and others after the IRC changed to 24 hours back in January. Police and medical responders have been called to the IRC 642 times.
IRC officials say they have experienced a 67 percent increase in people seeking help over the past year from the center. Nearly 1,000 people were helped in April. The 22,000-square-foot community center located at 407 E. Washington Street has operated for 15 years offering basic necessities, among other critical resources: showers, laundry, barbershop, phone bank, mailroom, computer lab, medical clinic, gardens and a bike maintenance area. There are no sleeping areas, but individuals seeking help can utilize the facility 24/7. The IRC is also being funded by grants provided by the state and county.
The city also asked for a 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day action plan from the IRC. The IRC’s action plan includes hiring more staff, armed security, and repairing the fencing around the property. In addition, the IRC asked that the police stop sweeping homeless encampments and confiscating property that they desperately need.
The IRC released a statement following Monday’s vote:
“The Greensboro City Council voted last night to fund a portion of the IRC’s Drop-In Center. This will be re-evaluated in six months to determine additional funding. We are eager to continue working with the City and other community partners to provide resources for our guests without cessation of services. Thank you, Greensboro, for your tremendous support.”
